2019/2020 Proposed Budget

Published on 18 April 2019

More than $10 million in capital works and a rates increase that complies with the State Government’s Fair Go Rates System highlights Gannawarra Shire Council’s 2019/2020 Proposed Budget.

The draft version of Council’s key financial document for the coming 12 months was approved at the April Ordinary Council Meeting to be placed on public display, with residents able to submit their comments up to 5pm on Monday, 3 June.

The 61-page document outlines how Council will spend the $30.03 million of revenue generated through rates, charges and grants during 2019/2020, with a $2.096 million surplus predicted.

“Council is proud to be able to deliver a budget that maintains current services, looks after Council’s assets and deliver projects that will benefit both residents and visitors to the area,” Mayor Lorraine Learmonth said.

“Council’s $10.567 million Capital Works program, outlined in the Proposed Budget, will focus on road and footpath rehabilitation, bridge works, parks and recreational facility improvements, flood mitigation measures and tourism initiatives.

“This budget also complies with the State Government’s Fair Go Rates System, which states that the total revenue raised through municipal rates cannot increase by more than 2.5 per cent compared to the previous year.”

The existing differential rates structure remains in operation, with the average rates increase per category being 2.5 per cent for all sectors – residential, commercial/industrial, farm irrigation district and farm dryland. Properties classified for cultural/recreational use will receive a 1.44 per cent annual rate reduction.

“Council is now on an annual valuation cycle, with the revaluation undertaken as of 1 January 2019 applying to the 2019/2020 financial year,” Mayor Learmonth said.

“The movements in property valuations between 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 ranges from 4.83 per cent for commercial/industry properties to 9.19 per cent for farm dryland. This has been absorbed in the average rates increase.”

The municipal charge will remain at $100, whilst waste management charges will increase by $8 for those whose property use a 120-litre general waste bin and $12 for properties that rely on a 240-litre bin for general waste. Green waste bin charges will rise by $1.

Council will continue to support the community thanks to $340,000 in funding for grants and project funding.

“This figure includes $90,000 for Council’s Community Grants program, with Council inviting community groups to apply for up to $5,000 for projects and events,” Mayor Learmonth said.

“A further $250,000 is available for Council to partner with community groups to develop projects on non-Council owned properties, with funding to be matched dollar for dollar.”

More than $4 million of Council’s Capital Works program is devoted to road, bridge and footpath  improvements throughout the Gannawarra. This includes the $1.02 million for Council’s sealed roads rehabilitation program, $954,000 for gravel re-sheeting and $800,000 for bitumen road reseal works.

A $110,000 footpath replacement program and $150,000 worth of kerb replacement works is proposed, whilst $25,000 will be committed to install footpaths outside Riverside Park, Kerang along Scoresby Street.

Meanwhile, the replacement of the two bridges that span key rivers within the Gannawarra are planned, but are dependent on external funding.

“The replacement of the Appin South Bridge over the Loddon River is a $1.179 million project, with the first stage of works listed in the 2019/2020 Proposed Budget,” Mayor Learmonth said.

“Council also plans to replace the Boort-Quambatook Road Bridge over the Avoca River, a project valued at $635,000”.

Council’s goal to improve tourism opportunities for visitors will receive a $2.125 million boost, with one-third of these funds a result of the successful Regional Growth Fund application developed by a consortium of seven councils located within north-western Victoria and south-western New South Wales.

The Kangaroo Lake North End Foreshore Development ($450,000), Gunbower Creek waterfront connection project at Cohuna ($400,000) and the Koondrook Waterfront Development linking the Koondrook Wharf precinct to the Koondrook Nature Based Tourism Hub ($500,000) all benefited from the $669,232 Federal Government contribution.

The Nature Based Tourism Hub – an outdoor recreational and accommodation facility located on the banks of Gunbower Creek - will be completed in the 2019/2020 financial year ($425,000), with works at the neighbouring Koondrook Caravan Park ($350,000) to also proceed as part of Council’s Capital Works program.

Other tourism initiatives that will benefit from the draft budget include the installation of fishing jetties in the Loddon River in Kerang ($110,000) and efforts to develop the Gannawarra Arts Trail ($50,000).

“Council continues to promote the Gannawarra as a destination that is close to nature and the water, and these projects will help achieve this,” Mayor Learmonth said.

Efforts to ensure communities are protected from future flood events will proceed, with $550,000 allocated to flood mitigation projects.

The majority of this funding is for the construction of earthen levee banks adjacent to the Avoca River at Quambatook ($400,000), with this project and the development of the Koondrook Township Flood Study ($150,000) proceeding thanks to a contribution from Emergency Management Victoria’s 2017-18 Natural Disaster Resilience Grant Scheme. 

“Residents united in 2011 to protect towns and infrastructure from some of the worst flooding the Gannawarra has seen, and these projects will help protect key community assets when the next flood occurs,” Mayor Learmonth said.

Parks and recreational facilities will benefit from $493,000 worth of capital works, with the highlight being $115,000 to develop a ReSpark the Park concept in Quambatook.

“Using a similar process that led to the redevelopment of McCann Park at Kerang, Quambatook residents will unite to identify what features they would like to see built in a local park, with their concepts to become reality,” Mayor Learmonth said.

A $50,000 playground consolidation project will proceed at Leitchville, with Council allocating $60,000 for the design stage of the Cohuna Skate Park redevelopment.

Council’s pools will also benefit thanks to a $135,000 renewal program, with a separate $50,000 allocated to the installation of automated irrigation systems at parks and recreational facilities in Koondrook and Lalbert.

“Planning for a Regional Multi-Purpose Venue will proceed following a $65,000 commitment in the Proposed Budget, whilst $220,000 has been set aside for future strategic project development opportunities, of which $20,000 will go towards stormwater development works at Murrabit,” Mayor Learmonth said.

“Council will also allocate $610,000 for the purchasing of sustainable recreational water for Quambatook. This project, like some of the projects that feature in Council’s Capital Works program, are dependent on grant funding.”

Those who submit a response to the Proposed Budget will be invited to speak to their submission at a Special Meeting of Council, scheduled for 1pm on Tuesday, 11 June.

All submissions received will help formulate the final version of the 2019/2020 Budget, which is to be presented to the June Ordinary Council Meeting on Wednesday, 26 June. 

Copies of the 2019/20 Gannawarra Shire Council Proposed Budget are available to view at Council’s Customer Service Centres, Gannawarra Library Service branches, the Gateway to Gannawarra Visitor Centre and online at www.gsc.vic.gov.au