Budget adjusted to address requests

by Yvette Brand A budget boasting a $33.9 million capital works program and 2.25 per cent rates increase in line with state government rate capping has been adopted by Baw Baw Shire.

After receiving 132 submissions during its community consultation period, council made some changes before adopting the final document last week.

Rate revenue is expected to be almost $60 million in the budget of $97.2 million income and $79.9 million expenditure.

The capital works program includes $29.6 million worth of new works and $4.3 million of projects carried over from the 2018-19 year.

One third of the capital works program will be spent on roads with $11 million committed including $2.3 million to fix country roads and a $2 million shire wide reconstruction program.

A late inclusion in the final budget was $676,000 for the Pharoahs Rd retardation basin and wetlands, to be fully funded by the development contributions plan.

Council also included an additional $200,000 in the minor bridge renewal and curve improvements program.

A $1.8 million new early learning centre in Trafalgar has been announced.

Recreation highlights include three new female friendly change room facilities at Darnum, Buln Buln and Hallora, a $700,000 upgrade for the Neerim South oval; and $625,000 to resurface netball courts at Drouin Recreation Reserve.

Money also will be spent on design and planning for major recreation projects including new indoor stadiums in Warragul and Drouin, a multi-use facility at Trafalgar and a synthetic pitch at Baxter Park to ensure they are “shovel ready” for external funding opportunities.

The budget projects an operating surplus of $17.3 million, with an underlying surplus of $1.2 million after non-monetary assets, monetary contributions and nonrecurrent capital grants are subtracted.

Cr Danny Goss said he was pleased the community told council what they wanted.

He said this $97 million budget set the scene for what was likely to be the biggest infrastructure spend over the next three years.

“This budget is financially sustainable and shows stability going forward.

“Ratepayers want infrastructure as well as services so we have to make choices. This is fair and responsible and it is forward thinking,” he said.

Cr Jessica O’Donnell said it had been a longer budget process this year which involved more community consultation.

“It was an opportunity to talk to the community and the early consultation was really worth it.

“For those that did their work and put in a budget submission it was absolutely worth it,” she said.

Cr Michael Leaney said the money being put into roads was a good thing for rural areas.

“For many people their sole connection with the shire is the road that serves their property,” he said.