Greater Shepparton City Council adopted the 2020/2021 Budget at the June Council Meeting.
The 2020/2021 Budget includes a $61.8 million capital works program which will provide local jobs as the region recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2020/2021 Budget also includes a rate rise of 2.0 per cent as per the rate cap and a 1.67 per cent increase in kerbside collection charges, which are in accordance with Council’s previously adopted Rating Strategy.
Council has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the total impact on the 2020/2021 Budget is estimated to be $2.22M, which equates to a 10 per cent impact to Council’s liquidity.
Highlights of the $61.8M capital works program include $19.52 million for Buildings, including the construction of the new Shepparton Art Museum, $17.11M for Roads, including Maude Street Upgrade and Road Renewal Program and $3.92M for Drainage.
The operating budget sees $5.04M set for the Victoria Park Lake intersection works, a $550,000 contribution to the Museum of Vehicle Evolution (M.O.V.E) and a $300,000 contribution to the Mooroopna Integrated Early Learning Centre.
The 2020/2021 Draft Budget was released for public submission by Council on 28 April 2020.
A total of 40 submissions were received, with 11 of the written submitters electing to be heard at a Special Council Meeting – where Council noted all submissions – on 2 June 2020.
The submissions ranged in content, however, the most popular topics raised were:
- Municipal Charge
- Rate Increase
- Kialla Land Development
- Tip Vouchers
- Farm Rates
- LUX Lighting Charges
The 40 submissions were taken into account when forming the final Draft Budget 2020/2021, with some of the submissions leading to changes in the Draft Budget.
These changes included an increased contributions to Shepparton Foodshare, Shepparton Search and Rescue and Shepparton Family and Financial Services, as well as a freeze on lux lighting charges for users of sporting fields in Greater Shepparton.
“Council has prepared the 2020/2021 Budget, keeping in mind that it must act as a leader as the region transitions into the recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mayor Cr Seema Abdullah said.
“Whether it be events, delivery of essential services, future funding or grants or any other support for our community, Council needs to be in a strong financial position to help not only the Greater Shepparton community recover from COVID-19, but also continue the operation of the organisation and delivery of services for our community.
“Council thanks those who took the time to enter a submission, and the community can rest assured each submission was assessed and taken into consideration before the adopted budget was formed.”
The Federal Government has recently announced $8.58 million in funding for the Maude Street Mall development as part of the Building Better Regions Fund. With the funding agreement yet to be finalised, further work will be required to determine the financial impact of this announcement for the 2020/2021 budget year.
You can view the adopted annual budget on Council’s website.
