Council adopts 2021-22 Budget

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At a Meeting of Council last night, the Central Goldfields Shire 2021/22 Budget 2021/22 was adopted.

The adoption of the Budget followed a four-week engagement process – 28 April to 28 May – with three written submissions received and comprehensive community information sessions in Maryborough, Carisbrook, Dunolly and Talbot.

The 2021/22 Council Budget includes a $20.9 million plus Capital Works budget (including $12.3 million in grant funding), rate rise of 1.5% in line with the Victorian Government determined rate cap and a 3% increase to waste charges to meet the increasing costs of managing waste.

Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Cr Chris Meddows-Taylor thanked community members who took the time to read the Draft Budget, attend community information sessions and provide input.

“We’re thrilled we’ve been able to deliver a Budget that not only continues to deliver 40 plus services to the community but also an exciting capital works budget that will have long-term benefit to the community and help stimulate the local economy in the wake of the pandemic.”

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

Capital Works Program

  • Significant upgrades ($3.9m) to roads funded jointly through Council, Regional Roads Victoria and Roads to Recovery
  • Restoration works at Maryborough Outdoor Swimming Pool ($2m – fully grant funded)
  • Construction of the Carisbrook Recreation Reserve pavilion ($4.7m [$4.2m grant funded])
  • Expansion of the Maryborough Gallery ($1.9m [$1.7m grant funded])
  • Completion of the Carisbrook levee ($610k)
  • Township revitalisation program for Timor, Bealiba, Talbot, Bet Bet, Dunolly, Majorca and Carisbrook including playground and hall improvements, shade structures, tree plantings and signage ($810k)
  • Council building upgrades ($369k)
  • Maryborough Skate Park ($619k – $250k grant funding)
  • Transfer station upgrade ($401k grant funded)
  • Maryborough Station Activation ($2.0m [$1.8m grant funded])
  • Further implementation of Gordon Gardens Masterplan ($82k)
  • New pathways ($400k [$300k grant funded])
  • New bike racks ($5k)

Grant funded projects that will continue in 2021-2022 include:

· Go Goldfields

· Engage Youth program

· Freeza program

· L2P program

New initiatives for 2021-2022 include:

· New Council Plan and Community Vision

· Community Health and Wellbeing Plan

· Reconciliation Action Plan (completion)

· Heritage Overlay Reviews (ongoing)

· Climate Adaptation Plan

· Asset Condition Assessment

· Railway Station Activation Plan

· Health & Wellbeing Plan (start 2020-2021 finish 2021-2022)

· Asset Management Plans

· Aerodrome Business Plan

/Public Release. View in full here.