Council seeks input on 10-year financial plan

Published on 01 September 2021

The next decade of spending on community services, buildings, bridges, landfill expansion, vehicles and much more is detailed in Corangamite Shire’s 10 year Long Term Financial Plan.

Council is seeking feedback as it reviews the high-level strategy for financially sustainable delivery of infrastructure and services.

Mayor Ruth Gstrein invited residents to read the current plan and fill in a survey on Council’s website to help inform the review.

“The Shire provides an extensive range of services that go largely unseen, from early years services to home and community care,” Cr Gstrein said.

“That’s on top of the front-and-centre services like roads and bridges, kerb and channel, parks and gardens, pools, libraries and other community facilities.

“This plan makes projections of future cost increases, maintenance, asset renewal and resources that will be needed to keep Council services running at a level our community expects and can afford.”

The current 10 Year Long Term Financial Plan demonstrates the Shire’s commitment to operating in a financially responsible manner.

“Since the State Government introduced rate capping in 2016-2017, Council has to find innovative and economical ways to meet the community’s needs without increasing the burden on ratepayers,” Cr Gstrein said.

“Maintaining a  10 year plan helps keep us on track by giving long-term perspective to each four-year Council plan and annual Budget and action plan.”

Council’s recently adopted Community Vision will also be an important consideration in the review. The current plan can be found here and the survey here. For hard copies, call the Civic Centre on 5593 7100.

A draft of the reviewed plan will be made available on Council’s website late September, at which point residents can provide additional feedback.

Council will adopt the plan by 31 October.