2.5% for Cardinia rates

Cardinia Shire Council is proposing a general rate increase of 2.5 per cent next financial year in line with the state government rate capping policy.

While no rise is planned to the annual residential garbage charge of $285.70 the green waste collection fee will increase from $117 to $123.16.

Deputy mayor Cr Collin Ross said diligent management of the budget had the council in a sound position, forecasting a surplus for 2019-2020 of $4.1million on total revenues of $207.6million.

Cr Ross highlighted a capital works program of $60.69 million.

It includes $14.1million for roads and $16.75million for infrastructure such as recreation, leisure and community facilities.

Among new projects to be undertaken are the Lang Lang recreation facility ($2.7 million) Bunyip soccer facility ($1.08 million) and sports facilities upgrades at Koo wee rup high school ($2.02 million).

The draft budget and an amended council plan can be inspected at the council’s customer service centre at Officer, the Pakenham and Emerald Libraries and at mobile libraries.

Feedback to council needs to be in writing and received before 5pm on Wednesday, May 15.

Any submissions will be considered at a special council meeting on May 27 and a recom mendation to adopt the budget, with or without amendments, is expected to be put to council for decision at its meeting on June 17.

Baw Baw shire’s draft budget for 2019-2020 will be presented to the meeting of council being held tomorrow evening.