Budget boosted with carryover cash – City of Ballarat Council meeting briefs

CITY of Ballarat councillors noted the carryovers from previously committed projects into their 2023/2024 budget during their regular meeting on Wednesday night last week.

The move saw more than $24 million funds rolled over, as well as new grant cash of more than $15 million added, with $105,000 of the remainder to be used for future debt repayments.

With the influx of leftover cash leading to an improved net variance of $555 000, the extra $150,000 was allocated to revising the Ballarat Botanical Gardens Master Plan, and $300,000 towards the site’s irrigation.

When questioned about why the projects were chosen over others, municipality CEO Evan King said both items were chosen for different reasons.

“There is a resolution of council around the masterplan for the Botanical Gardens and it was an agreement from council to undertake a review of the existing masterplan,” he said.

“It was a way of dealing with a lot of requests coming in for the gardens and making sure there’s a clear strategy around the sequencing of infrastructure.

“The irrigation project was included in the budget but unfortunately didn’t actually include the correct amount to be able to do.

“We’re fixing two errors of the budget so we weren’t picking items ahead of anything else.”

 

Action plan actioned

Councillors signed off on the 2023/2024 component of their Council Plan 2021/2025.

The plan features six key goals centred around the local economy, growth, conservation, inclusion, and governance.

The item saw three submissions from the public that called for improvements to the plan’s goals such as more sustainable household power initiatives and a balance between heritage buildings and modern development.

Cr Belinda Coates supported the motion and said she appreciated the suggestions from ratepayers.

“It’s good some community members are watching and… holding us to account as to how we’re tracking with those things,” she said.

Cr Ben Taylor said a key challenge behind the document was in delivering on some of the larger-scale projects, and that it is “an ambitious plan with an ambitious budget.”

 

Events strategy tracked

The municipality’s recent performance in putting on events, festivals, and outings were taken on notice as part of a report noting the delivery of the Ballarat Events Strategy 2018/2028.

Cash brought into the city through events during 2022/2023 resulted in a seven per cent increase from the previous year, and totalled more than $44 million.

Cr Peter Eddy said the municipality’s events are about benefiting the community as much as visitors.

“If you look at something like the Begonia Festival, that attracted over a two-day cycle this year 65,000 people,” he said.

“Just as many people in our Ballarat community get out and have a weekend, experience what’s on. The diverse range of people, from young kids through to seniors, is just amazing.”

 

Landill contract awarded

Shamrock Civil Engineering was awarded a more-than $2 million contract to undertake capping and rehabilitation works at Ballarat Regional Landfill at Smythesdale in Golden Plains Shire.

With many of the site’s cells nearly full, the contract will include covering them over them and reinstating drainage.

The contract received six submissions and will last for seven months with the potential to extend for four months.

 

Engagement acknowledged

Councillors looked back on the City of Ballarat’s performance in engaging with the community during 2022/2023.

Municipal staff held 28 community engagement activities while the previous year saw 32 events take place.

Cr Ben Taylor said it’s a continuous challenge in getting people involved with what the municipality is doing.

“There was still 5151 submissions for Sorting our Waste which is still a small percentage of the community as a whole,” he said.

“Then when you look at other things such as Marty Busch [Reserve Masterplan] we’re talking 63 people providing feedback.

“How do we do better when it comes to community engagement. The challenge we have is a matter of how we continue to do it.”

 

Access and inclusion plan tracked

Progress on the City of Ballarat’s Access and Inclusion Implementation Plan 2022/2026 was acknowledged by councillors.

Cr Amy Johnson said recently there’s been “outstanding achievements” in how the municipality has become more inclusive.

“One thing that stood out to me is that we are doing more and more work to train our staff… to direct best practice in regards to awareness training as well as teaching people AUSLAN,” she said.

“As well as in regards to how we can ensure we have accessible services, accessible infrastructure, accessible programs.”

The plan was developed alongside the municipality’s Disability Advisory Committee, which has recently been nominated for a National Disability Award in the Excellence in Regional and Remote Support category.