THE City of Ballarat\u2019s 2022\/23 draft budget has been released and now the municipality wants your input on the financial plan.<\/p>\n
Approved for community consultation during last week\u2019s council meeting, the draft budget includes $6.4 million for environmental projects and mayor Cr Daniel Moloney it would deliver a sustainable future for the City.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe overwhelming feedback from people was they wanted to see a more sustainable, environmentally-focused budget and this is one of the biggest budgets we\u2019ve had in that regard,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA significant range of improvements have been devoted to biodiversity, management of waterways, tree planting, and working towards establishing our recycling facility.\u201d<\/p>\n
The budget also devotes $4.6 million to the circular economy precinct in the Ballarat West Employment Zone, as well as $500,000 for continued tree planting, and $440,000 on recycled water schemes.<\/p>\n
The draft also sees $47.6 million go towards maintaining existing infrastructure like roads, bridges and community assets, while a further $22 million would see the fulfillment of upgrades for Her Majesty\u2019s Theatre, and works at Ballarat Airport.<\/p>\n
An additional $19.3 million is proposed for the long-term maintenance of older projects, and CEO Evan King said the plan ensures a balance between growth and stability.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think what is important is that it\u2019s equitable across the whole city,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s funding in the budget for the Ballymanus community hub obviously in one of our growth areas. There\u2019s also funding in there for the Sebastopol community hub.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to continue to invest in our growth areas but we also need to make sure that the infrastructure in our existing suburbs is maintained and updated.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for that what you\u2019ll pay, the municipal waste levy is set to increase by 6.25 per cent as a result of the state\u2019s Environmental Protection Agency increase of $26 per household.<\/p>\n
In accordance with the State Government rate capping policy, and underpinning the municipal budget\u2019s revenue, an average property rate increase of 1.75 per cent across the municipality has been proposed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE City of Ballarat\u2019s 2022\/23 draft budget has been released and now the municipality wants your input on the financial plan. Approved for community consultation during last week\u2019s council meeting, the draft budget includes $6.4 million for environmental projects and mayor Cr Daniel Moloney it would deliver a sustainable future for the City. \u201cThe overwhelming […]<\/p>\n