Draft budget presents capped rate increase
Draft budget papers will be presented to Baw Baw Shire councillors tomorrow with a recommendation to adopt a 1.75 per cent rate rise.
The rate increase is line with the state government imposed rate cap.
But ratepayers will be slugged with a 12 per cent increase in waste charges, with residential waste collection increasing to $450 a year.
Total revenue from rates and charges will be $69.1 million including $57.1 million from rates, $11 million from waste charges and $1 million in supplementary rate valuations.
The draft budget delivers a capital works program valued at more than $41 million.
One quarter of the capital works program will include $6.5 million for the civic place precinct and $4 million for the new Warragul indoor stadium which is being co-funded with the state government to deliver a $10 million project.
Other key projects include $1.5 million for stage one of the Rokeby Noojee trail and $2.1 million for the new Bellbird Park multi-use pavilion.
Council will invest $2 million in its roads reconstruction program, which is part of an overall $10.9 million budget for road works..
A number of community priorities also have been catered for in the draft budget including: $30,000 for improved drainage of the Brooker Park Trail; $10,000 for shade and fencing at playgrounds; $370,000 for dog park upgrades at Bellbird Park, Brooker Park and Hollydell Park; $40,000 for the design of the Bellbird Park Wetlands; $350,000 to progress the implementation of recreation reserve masterplans across the shire; and, $30,000 for Yarragon Trail maintenance.
New operating initiatives costing almost $1.2 million are outlined in the draft papers which are largely attributed to investment in statutory planning and enforcement, infrastructure planning and maintenance, waste and strategic planning works relating to vegetation protection.
Council proposes to continue with its differential rating strategy, offering farmers a 20 per cent discount on the general rate.
Commercial and industrial properties will be charged at a 30 per cent surcharge. Vacant land will continue to be charged at an 80 per cent surcharge.
The report to council said the 2022 land revaluation focused on residential and lifestyle properties in the Trafalgar, Yarragon, Nilma, Darnum and Willow Grove areas. Overall, the value of properties across the shire increased almost 29 per cent.
A report accompanying the financial papers states the draft budget "focuses on delivering quality services to the community through a combination of existing programs, new initiatives and capital works."
Officers said a key issue for council in setting its budget was the rate of residential growth in the shire and the impact of growth on services now and into the future.
“Council's major challenges are to meet the needs of the growing population of the shire, continuing to renew critical infrastructure, and improve council's overall financial
proposition, within the constraints of the rate cap," the report said.
Mayor Michael Leaney said preparation of the draft budget had been a fine balancing act amidst uniquely challenging conditions.
“Despite the uncertainty around us, it provides a sensible and stable platform from which we can build and deliver on behalf of our community," he said.