TOUTED as a budget that sets the stage for a transformative era for Hamilton and the Shire, and a $3 million surplus to boast, Southern Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) held an unscheduled meeting on Wednesday morning to adopt the 2024-2025 annual budget and Council’s 2024-2034 long-term financial plan.

SGSC people and performance director, Darren Barber, delivered a budget report and said over the last three years Council had undertaken a diligent comprehensive programme of reduction of costs and improving operational efficiencies.

“(This) has not only ensured our financial sustainability but is also enabling the delivery of multigenerational major projects that will transform our Shire,” he said.

“This focus on cost reduction and commitment to efficiency shows that council is and will continue to be in a strong financial position, enabling the delivery of key major projects, including the Hamilton streetscape, Hamilton Gallery, and the community hub within a 10-year period, leaving us at the end of the of that time, debt free and a cash balance of $12.6 million in the bank.”

Mr Barber said, outside these three major initiatives, the budget included an exciting mix of projects and programs that would improve community life and liveability in the Shire.

“The total capital works program of $20.64m is a significant investment,” he said.

“In roads - $5.9m, bridges - $246,000, footpaths - $246,000, recreation and community facilities - $2.2m and parks and open spaces - $3.3m.”

“Key projects including the new Pedrina Park cricket nets (covered in sports story), solar light installation around Lake Hamilton, purchase and renovation of the old school at Glenthompson into a community centre, replacement of stairs and platforms at Nigretta Falls, access improvements for the Hamilton-Coleraine Rail Trail and resurfacing the irrigation and renewal at Melville oval.”

Mr Barber said to fund the extensive capital works program, Council proposed to increase rates by 2.75 per cent in line with the rate cap set by the Local Government minister.

Cr Colliton commended the work on the budget and said it was testament to our “Council’s visionary stance and bold plans for building new projects that will reshape Hamilton into a thriving community for creatives, businesses, and residents alike.”

While the plaudits and back slapping were aplenty, Cr Katrina Rainsford reminded listeners that it was ratepayers who were footing the bill.

“I would firstly like to thank the ratepayers of the Shire,” she said.

“They are funding an increased amount.

“I also acknowledge we are going through a very hard time in parts of the Shire with low rainfall.”

She also asked the question around ownership of the Glenthompson School.

“There’s an item for $100,000 for the purchase and renovation of the school for a community hub for Glenthompson - is Southern Grampians Shire Council going to purchase the school and return the school as an asset on our asset register?” she asked.

Chief executive, Tony Doyle responded and said that Council as well as the Glenthompson Progress Association were in discussions with the state government to acquire the school hopefully at a discount.

“(However), before they can sell it, they need the approval of the Traditional Owners,” he said.

“(SGSC) will then on sell it or gift it to a community organisation to own and operate the school. Their plan is to operate it as a community.”

Cr Rainsford told The Spectator she was concerned that the school would not be on the Council’s asset register and therefore won’t be their responsibility to maintain.

“The burden will be left with the community.”

The Glenthompson Pool Committee inc. met on Thursday night to further discuss saving the pool from closure and the implications on the township of the budget passed by Council.

Glenthompson resident and committee secretary Jenny Rankin said, “it makes sense to be allocating $100,000 in the budget to purchase the school for a community hub, but not at the expense of a valuable asset that is already there.”

“We need to be supporting the pool as well – an important asset, one that offers the critical opportunity of teaching children to swim, one that is about saving lives, one that offers social connection and wellbeing which is what the council is all about.”

The budget was passed unanimously. More detailed information on the budget is available on Council’s website.