Projects funded in council budget review

An early learning centre at Warragul Primary School, works at Western Park and a new roof on Civic Place, Warragul are all part of projects to be undertaken following savings identified in Baw Baw Shire’s mid-year budget review.

More than $1.1 million savings were identified in the budget review and council allocated $875,000 to new projects.

An early learning centre at Warragul Primary School, to be co-funded with $650,000 state government support, was the main recipient with $470,000 allocated to meet a shortfall in the project.

The allocation is on top of $500,000 already allocated by council and $780,000 from the development contribution plan, brought forward from 2022.

Another $165,000 has been allocated to Western Park with $125,000 to be spent on additional screening and $40,000 for removal and replacement of the turf wicket with a synthetic pitch.

The project includes installation of 140 metres of additional screenings to the west and east sides.

Other projects to be funded from budget savings include:

$120,000 for Glen Cromie caravan park fire abatement works;

$25,000 to demolish a council owned house at 61 Albert St, Warragul to make way for a car park development;

$70,000 for a new roof on Civic Place, Warragul; and,

$25,000 for a footpath between the southern carpark at Walhalla and the Walhalla Railway Station.

Cr Michael Leaney said the mid-year review enabled council to spend some money from the savings it had achieved over the past six months.

He said the $70,000 for roof renewal at Civic Place, Warragul was being incorporated into the arts centre redevelopment works.

He said undertaking the works now while builders were on site would create considerable savings in the long term.

Cr Michael Leaney described Western Park as a “bottomless pit” with $125,000 allocated for additional screening at the recreation reserve.

“I am not sure why this money is needed to make the site compliant but I am disappointed we got to this stage before we knew about it,” she said.

Cr Danny Goss said shire officers recently met with the users of Western Park including the two football clubs and Western Park Cricket Club.

“They agreed the turf cricket would be removed and replaced with a synthetic concrete pitch.

“That won’t be done now until after the footy season,” he said.

A report to council said the mid-year review identified forecasted cash savings of $1.13 million comprising $930,000 operating costs and $200,000 in capital works.

The operating budget savings were achieved through positive and negative influences including an additional $580,000 from supplementary rates for new properties and/or extensions to houses; additional $550,000 grants revenue; and $110,000 income and salary savings.

The capital savings include $170,000 for footpath projects, $20,000 on the Ellinbank reserve lighting upgrade and $10,000 for Kydd Park cricket clubrooms at Jindivick.

The financial report identified am accounting surplus of $14.12 million that includes cash and non-cash items, which provides a forecast accumulated cash surplus of $4.47 million.