GLENELG Shire Council has released its draft budget 2024-225 and ratepayers have until 17 May to have their say on the council’s spending and rating plans for the next year.

The budget was approved by councillors at last Tuesday night’s council meeting, including a 2.75 per cent increase – in line with the State Government’s cap.

Mayor Karen Stephens said she encouraged the community to read through the budget documents and have its say, as it did during the community consultation sessions in February.

“I’d like to thank all of those community members that attended budget sessions across the Shire and gave us feedback,” she said.

“Council has taken that on board and now that we have released the draft budget we look forward to receiving more feedback.”

The draft budget includes requests which were raised during the community sessions, including $50,000 to maintain the condition of the Heywood Old School, continuing funding for Christmas lighting of $50,000 and ongoing funding of $200,000 through the renewal budget for recreational assets including playground equipment.

“Council has worked hard to deliver an enormous capital works program over the past four years generated from significant stimulus funding and grant opportunities.

“In 2024/25 we are aiming to get through the backlog and deliver capital works that focus on renewing existing assets, not creating new ones.

“This budget places a priority in completing the backlog of capital works programs already scheduled whilst responsibly providing ongoing funding for renewal.

“A modest new capital program of $7.3 million is proposed which is predominantly allocated to the renewal of existing assets.”

New capital assets are limited to less than $1.5m and includes a new Street Sweeping Vacuum Truck and the first stage in the replacement of the council core software system (ERP) which is end of life.

At this time council expects to carry forward approximately $13.5m of capital projects into 2024/25.

The fees and charges have been reviewed against cost recovery objectives and benchmarked with similar Shires.

Several fees are well below industry standard and will be increased, some gradually, to address this deficit; overall, the total fees and charges income is expected to increase by $145,000 up to a $2.7m total.

At the council meeting, it was pointed out that of the more than 500 fees and charges listed by council 293 or 73 per cent of fees and charges have increased only by the recommended 2.75 per cent rate cap, or less, leaving around 207 that have increased by more, however with the restructuring of a number of fees and charges, it was impossible to ‘compare apples with apples’ when trying to work out which had increased and which had not.

“Each year, the demands placed on council exceed the revenue available,” Cr Stephens said.

“Council will continue to focus on identifying sustainable cost savings that will enable it to deliver on the Council Plan 2021-2025 and ensure the needs and aspirations of the community are realised.”

The decision on the rate cap for the 2024/25 year was guided by independent advice from the Essential Services Commission recommending that rate increases be capped at the forecast Consumer Price Index to reduce pressures on household budgets.

“Regrettably, the increase in the cost of living is significant to everyone at present and council is not immune to this,” Cr Stephens said.

“The expenses incurred by council to allow it to deliver services pose some significant financial challenges.

“Costs of materials, utilities and insurance for example are all increasing at a rate far higher rate than the rate cap.

“The current economic climate has also seen a reduction in opportunities for grants, which in recent years Council has been extremely successful in obtaining.”

Budget Information Sessions were held in Nelson, Dartmoor, Heywood, Portland and Casterton throughout February seeking community input into the development of the draft budget.

“These information sessions generated many excellent suggestions for budget consideration, however Ccuncil’s ability to fund many of these is restricted,” Cr Stephens said.

Requests such as Food Organics Garden Organics (green waste) collection have not been included in the latest budget, given the additional financial impact it would impose on households and the fact that it is not mandated until 2030.

To provide feedback on the draft 2024/25 budget, visit the Your Say Glenelg website from Friday, 26 April, email enquiry@glenelg.vic.gov.au or post to The Chief Executive Officer, Glenelg Shire Council, PO Box 152, Portland VIC 3305.

Alternatively, hard copies of feedback can be dropped off at Council’s Customer Service Centres in Portland, Heywood or Casterton; Feedback must be received by 5pm, Friday 17 May.