CITY of Ballarat councillors were set to vote on a draft budget on Wednesday put together with cost-of-living pressures and long-term financial stability in mind.<\/p>\n
“This budget has been developed in a time of continued economic uncertainty, and strikes a careful balance between maintaining essential services, investing in our growing city and recognising cost of living pressures,” mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves said at a budget briefing last Friday.<\/p>\n
As part of the draft budget a 2.75 per cent average rate increase was proposed. The rate increase would equate to $58 per year for the average property.<\/p>\n
“This draft budget has been developed at a time of continued economic uncertainty and rising cost pressures for both the council and our community,” chief executive officer Evan King said.<\/p>\n
“Now more than ever it is so important to be fiscally responsible, but we remain firmly committed to delivering for the people of Ballarat.”<\/p>\n
He said the local government provided more than 80 services to residents, supporting everything from roads and waste collection to libraries and economic development.<\/p>\n
“In challenging times, these services are essential for a thriving city,” he said.<\/p>\n
“This draft budget ensures we can continue to meet those needs while planning responsibly for the future.”<\/p>\n
He said the city was not immune to the financial pressures affecting the broader economy, including the effect international conflict was having on diesel and fuel costs, service contracts and capital works projects.<\/p>\n
Waste and recycling charges would increase by 1.2 per cent, equating to $1.68 per day per household. It would include hard rubbish collection establishment costs.<\/p>\n
There is a capital works program in the draft budget of $92.3m.<\/p>\n
That included $25.3m for capital roads infrastructure, $17.85m for beginning the upgrade of the Eastwood Leisure Complex, and $14.5m for the regional animal facility.<\/p>\n
It would also include $10.1m for the Marty Busch Reserve upgrade completion, $7.8m for the Glenelg Highway shared footpath, $7.72m for the Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre heat pumps, and $7.2m for Art Gallery of Ballarat upgrades.<\/p>\n
The budget would maintain a range of initiatives to support the community.<\/p>\n
They include continuing the additional library opening hours and programs, the extended hours of Eureka Pool for days that exceed 30 degrees, and retention of a $120 low-income health care card.<\/p>\n
The budget vote took place after print deadline for this edition of the Ballarat Times.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CITY of Ballarat councillors were set to vote on a draft budget on Wednesday put together with cost-of-living pressures and long-term financial stability in mind. “This budget has been developed in a time of continued economic uncertainty, and strikes a careful balance between maintaining essential services, investing in our growing city and recognising cost of […]<\/p>\n