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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s irrigation.<\/p>\n
When questioned about why the projects were chosen over others, municipality CEO Evan King said both items were chosen for different reasons.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a way of dealing with a lot of requests coming in for the gardens and making sure there\u2019s a clear strategy around the sequencing of infrastructure.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe irrigation project was included in the budget but unfortunately didn\u2019t actually include the correct amount to be able to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re fixing two errors of the budget so we weren\u2019t picking items ahead of anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Action plan actioned<\/strong><\/p>\n Councillors signed off on the 2023\/2024 component of their Council Plan 2021\/2025.<\/p>\n The plan features six key goals centred around the local economy, growth, conservation, inclusion, and governance.<\/p>\n The item saw three submissions from the public that called for improvements to the plan\u2019s goals such as more sustainable household power initiatives and a balance between heritage buildings and modern development.<\/p>\n Cr Belinda Coates supported the motion and said she appreciated the suggestions from ratepayers.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s good some community members are watching and\u2026 holding us to account as to how we\u2019re tracking with those things,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Cr Ben Taylor said a key challenge behind the document was in delivering on some of the larger-scale projects, and that it is \u201can ambitious plan with an ambitious budget.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Events strategy tracked<\/strong><\/p>\n The municipality\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Cr Peter Eddy said the municipality\u2019s events are about benefiting the community as much as visitors.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you look at something like the Begonia Festival, that attracted over a two-day cycle this year 65,000 people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cJust as many people in our Ballarat community get out and have a weekend, experience what\u2019s on. The diverse range of people, from young kids through to seniors, is just amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Landill contract awarded<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n With many of the site\u2019s cells nearly full, the contract will include covering them over them and reinstating drainage.<\/p>\n The contract received six submissions and will last for seven months with the potential to extend for four months.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Engagement acknowledged<\/strong><\/p>\n Councillors looked back on the City of Ballarat\u2019s performance in engaging with the community during 2022\/2023.<\/p>\n Municipal staff held 28 community engagement activities while the previous year saw 32 events take place.<\/p>\n Cr Ben Taylor said it\u2019s a continuous challenge in getting people involved with what the municipality is doing.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was still 5151 submissions for Sorting our Waste which is still a small percentage of the community as a whole,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThen when you look at other things such as Marty Busch [Reserve Masterplan] we\u2019re talking 63 people providing feedback.<\/p>\n \u201cHow do we do better when it comes to community engagement. The challenge we have is a matter of how we continue to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n