Council last night adopted its Budget for 2022—23 (including Fees and Charges), following public exhibition. It was developed in the context of Council’s 10-year Financial Plan and guided by the Revenue and Ratings Plan and Workforce Plan.
“We’re pleased the Budget has been adopted by Council,” said Chief Executive Officer, Anne Howard. “It meets important demands for services and infrastructure, while remaining affordable for our community. It will get us back on track following the constraints of COVID-19 restrictions.”
“Running a business like Colac Otway Shire Council is complex and this Budget will help guide our organisation through to the next financial year,” said Mayor Hanson. “It’s been a long process, but there was great discussion along the way; the quality of this document is very good.”
The Budget 2022—23 includes a 1.75 per cent average rate increase, which is in line with the Fair Go Rates system rate cap.
The Budget sets out further $12.33 million to be spent in capital works projects, of which $8.69 million is directed to Council’s asset renewal program to ensure that our assets continue to support economic prosperity and healthy connected communities.
A $5.219 million allocation to roads and bridges, which is additional to works that have already commenced in 2021-22, shows Council remains committed to ensuring its road network stays in good condition.
Major items of capital expenditure within the adopted Budget are:
- Elliminyt wetlands development $3.0m
- Sealed road reconstruction program $2.5m
- Heavy plant replacement $1.2m
- Unsealed road reconstruction program $1.0m
- Bridge renewal programme $0.984m
- Building renewal programme $0.750m
- Computers and telecommunications renewal and upgrade $0.455m
- Major patching program $0.350m
- Light fleet replacement $0.300m
- Road safety $0.275m
- Asset condition assessment $0.250m
- Building upgrade programme $0.234m
- Elliminyt Recreation Reserve oval lighting replacement $0.425m
- Footpath renewal $0.179m
- Stormwater renewal and upgrade $0.140m
“I thank those who contributed submissions during the public exhibition process and Council looks forward to delivering the key projects and infrastructure improvements outlined in the Budget,” said Ms Howard. “The Council’s progress on implementation of the Budget is presented in the Annual Report in October each year.”
