Draft budget sets 2% increase for Cardinia

But the garbage and green waste charges will remain at the current financial year’s level.

The draft budget now on public exhibition foreshadows total income in 2017-2018 of $112 million, a $4.6 million increase on this year, of which $81.7 million will come from rates and charges.

Operating and capital grants are expected to amount to almost $18.7 million.

Statutory fees, fines and user fees will realise just over $8 million.

A $44.8 million capital works program – the largest in the shire’s history - is outlined in the draft budget.

This includes initial design works for a new soccer facility at Bunyip and a new pavilion at the Cora Lynn reserve.

The two projects have been included in the council’s fiveyear capital works program; the Bunyip soccer project estimated to cost almost $2 million and the Cora Lynn pavilion $1 million.

Spending will also include $8 million on local roads, bridges, footpaths and cycleways.

Staffing costs are expected to rise by about $2.3 million next financial year to $33.1 million.

The base general rate has been set at 0.003431 cents in the dollar with a lower rate of 0.002573 cents for agricultural land.

Commercial and industrial properties will be rated at 0.004976 cents.

Differential rates higher than the base rate also apply to vacant land and Lakeside residential areas.

In a statement accompanying the release of the draft budget council said a continuing focus on organisational efficiencies that have kept operational and employee costs among the lowest in the state.

There had also been a concerted effort to manage debt in recent years – borrowing costs will reduce to $3.4 million in 2017-2018 – and efficiencies in contract management and other expenditures have saved more than $5 million over the past five years.

Council is keen to get public feedback on the budget.

Three community information sessions to explain details will be held in the shire later this month.

They will be at the council chambers in Officer on Monday, April 24; Gembrook community centre on April 26 and the Koo wee rup community centre on April 27.

Copies of the draft budget are available online on the council’s website and at the Pakenham, Emerald and mobile libraries and can also be inspected at the Officer shire office.