It is the second year Strathbogie Shire Council has run the Pitch my Project initiative, which Mayor Cr Laura Binks, says ensures Council is funding the projects and works that matter to its community.
“We’re now calling on the community to have its say on the 2022/23 Draft Budget,” Cr Binks said.
“This is a significant document for our community as it sets our fees and charges for the next year, along with our capital works program and the money we will spend on community services and resources to deliver these services.
“We’re excited this year’s Draft Budget includes funding for about $360,000 of projects through our Pitch my Project initiative.
“You may remember we launched our Pitch my Project program early this year to ensure meaningful community input into the development of our draft budget.”
This year’s 2022/23 Draft Budget provides for operating expenditure of $31.91 million on services. This includes $7.174 million to roads, drains, bridges, and footpaths, $402,500 to sustainability initiatives, $1.241 million to parks and reserves and $2.342 million to planning.
Operating expenditure is also used to fund important services such as libraries, maternal and child health, swimming pools and arts and culture.
This year’s Draft Budget provides $15 million capital works program, together with $9.8 million carried forward from 2021/22. This includes $7.45 million in roads, $1.2 million for bridges and culverts, $1.31 million for pedestrian bridges and footpaths, $2.807 million for recreation, leisure and community facilities and $2.145 million for parks, open spaces and streetscapes.
The capital works program includes projects such as the completion of the Nagambie Foreshore Walk, rehabilitation of the Violet Town Landfill, sealing of Habel Rd in Nagambie, aquatic facility upgrades, information technology improvements, options development for the future of Kirwans Bridge, streetscape improvements and an upgrade to Strathbogie Recreation Reserve pavilion.
“In preparing the 2022-2023 Budget, Council has considered many factors to try and balance community expectations and benefits with financial responsibilities,” Cr Binks said.
“We have worked to minimise rate increases and have prepared the Budget based on a 1.75 per cent increase in the average rate per property, which is in line with the State Government’s ‘Fair Go Rates’ legislation.”
Cr Binks reminded residents that rate outcomes for individual properties would vary, depending on how that property’s valuation has changed when compared to the average increase.
Waste collection and disposal charges will rise by three per cent, with costs impacted by increases in both the State Government landfill levy of 19 per cent and increases in fuel prices which are a major input into Council’s waste collection contracts.
Council is now seeking feedback on the 2022/23 Draft Budget. The community encouraged to make a submission via:
