2021-2022 Proposed Budget - A plan to grow the Gannawarra
Published on 22 April 2021
Gannawarra Shire residents are encouraged to have their say on Council’s 2021/2022 Proposed Council Budget, which outlines a $16.179 million investment in capital works and an increase in revenue raised through municipal rates revenue that complies with the State Government’s Fair Go Rates System.
The draft version of Council’s key financial document for the coming 12 months was approved at the April 2021 Council Meeting to be placed on public display, with residents able to submit their comments up to 5pm on Monday, 24 May.
The 56-page document outlines how Council will spend the $40.795 million of revenue generated through rates, charges and grants during 2021/2022, with a $9.385 million operating surplus predicted.
“Council is proud to be able to deliver a budget that maintains current services, supports projects and invests in community-led initiatives that will grow the Gannawarra now and in the future,” Mayor Charlie Gillingham said.
“The projects are contained in Council's enhanced $16.179 million capital works program, which focuses on town developments, investment in recreational facility improvements and supporting tourism initiatives.
“This budget relies on partnerships with other government bodies to minimise the impact on ratepayers and complies with the State Government’s Fair Go Rates System, which states that the total revenue raised through municipal rates cannot increase by more than 1.5 per cent compared to the previous year.”
The existing differential rates structure remains in operation, with the five types of land classification – residential, commercial/industrial, farm irrigation district, farm dryland, and properties classified for cultural/recreational – indexed by 1.5 per cent.
“At the time of preparing the Proposed Budget, Council was awaiting property valuation data for 2021/22 from the Valuer General's office. Calculation of rates in this Proposed Budget is based on current valuation figures,” Mayor Gillingham said.
The municipal charge will remain at $100, whilst waste management charges will increase by $11 for those whose property use a 120-litre general waste bin and $16 for properties that rely on a 240-litre bin for general waste. Green waste bin charges will rise by $3. These increases are due to a significant increase in Environment Protection Authority (EPA) levy and Material Recovery Facility Fee.
“No new loans are proposed for 2021/2022 and current loans are expected to be fully paid by 2024/2025,” Mayor Gillingham said.
Council will continue to support the community thanks to $534,000 in funding for grants and project funding.
“This figure includes $84,000 for Council’s popular Community Grants program, with Council inviting community groups to apply for up to $5,000 for projects and events later this year,” Mayor Gillingham said.
“Support provided through the Major Community Projects Fund will continue in 2021/2022, with $250,000 to be made available for Council to partner with community groups to develop projects on non- Council owned properties, with funding to be matched dollar for dollar.
“Council will also budget for $200,000 for strategic projects outlined in the Gannawarra Shire Council Plan 2017-2021 to enable these works to be ready for development.”
More than $4.6 million of Council’s Capital Works program is devoted to road, bridge and footpath improvements throughout the Gannawarra. This includes $1.06 million for Council’s sealed roads rehabilitation program, $994,000 for gravel re-sheeting and $910,000 for bitumen road reseal works. A $104,000 footpath replacement program and $153,000 worth of kerb replacement works is also proposed.
“Stage 2 of the Kerang CBD redevelopment will be completed during 2021/2020 thanks to the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, with works to focus on Scoresby Street between Fitzroy and Victoria streets,” Mayor Gillingham said.
“Residents who enjoy spending time at Apex Park, Reedy Lake will also benefit from the $300,000 upgrade of the Apex Park Road Bridge, dependent on the outcome of a grant application.”
Council’s continued efforts to enhance tourism opportunities will receive a $4.937 million boost, with $2.4 million of this amount supporting the development of the Kerang to Koondrook Rail Trail.
“Stage One of this project, which is dependent on a grant application that has been submitted for assessment, will enable the Koondrook to Nichol Road section of this trail to be developed, with the overall project to form part of the Murray River Adventure Trail,” Mayor Gillingham said.
“The rail trail also builds on the success of Koondrook Retreat and builds on the Gannawarra’s reputation as being Victoria’s nature based tourism destination.”
Other tourism works to be supported the 2021/2022 Proposed Budget include the continuation of the Cohuna CBD Waterfront Development ($1.707 million) and Stage Two of the Kangaroo Lake North End Foreshore Development ($830,000).
“The Cohuna CBD Waterfront Development, made possible thanks to the State Government’s $2.7 billion Building Works program, will strengthen the link between the Cohuna township and Gunbower Creek, providing greater benefits for residents and tourists,” Mayor Gillingham said.
“Visitors to Kangaroo Lake will also benefit from the continuation of improvements to the northern end of the foreshore, with the project to continue the improvements undertaken in late 2019.”
Parks and recreational facilities will benefit from $5.2 million of capital works, with the highlights being $1.2 million for the Quambatook Weir Pool project and $1.1 million for the Atkinson Park All Abilities Park. Both project are dependent on grant applications that have been submitted for assessment.
“The Quambatook Weir Pool project will provide a space where people can enjoy the beauty of the Avoca River, with the 2021/2022 Proposed Budget providing funding for the purchase of water and the undertaking of waterfront works,” Mayor Gillingham said.
“Following on the success of developing all abilities play spaces at Cohuna and Koondrook, Council will undertake similar works at Atkinson Park, which will benefit residents now and into the future.”
Users of the Cohuna Recreation Reserve will benefit from the $475,000 upgrade of the Morton Garner Pavilion, with Council also allocating $100,000 for the development of the Cohuna Sporting Precinct Masterplan, which will guide future developments throughout the precinct.
“The $1.154 million Murrabit Stormwater Project will occur in 2021/2022 thanks to the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program. These works will convert the town’s stormwater collection network from open channels to pipes, enabling greater water capture opportunities,” Mayor Gillingham said.
“Our youngest Gannawarra residents are also provided for in the 2021/2022 Gannawarra Shire Council Proposed Budget, with the $650,000 expansion of the Gannawarra Shire Children’s Centre enable three-year-old kindergarten to occur on-site and maintain long day care places.
“It is important to note that a number of these projects that feature in Council’s Capital Works program are dependent on grant funding. Council looks forward to advising the community regarding the outcome of these applications once confirmed.”
Residents are able to provide feedback regarding the 2021/2022 Proposed Council Budget online at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/budget up to 5pm on Monday, 24 May. All submissions received will help formulate the final version of the 2021/2022 Budget, which is to be presented to the June 2021 Council Meeting on Wednesday, 16 June.
“An online question and answer session will also be held in early May, which will enable Council to answer any questions residents have regarding the 2021/2022 Proposed Council Budget. Details regarding this session and how you can submit questions will be confirmed in the coming week,” Mayor Gillingham said.
The 2021/2022 Gannawarra Shire Council Proposed Budget can be viewed online at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/budget and at Council’s Customer Service Centres at Cohuna and Kerang.