MAYOR’S COLUMN

Council’s 2019-20 budget – what’s in it for you?

Council’s 2019-20 budget, adopted at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Thursday June 20, delivers important projects and financial stability for our community, while also reducing the burden on our most vulnerable ratepayers.

As part of our ongoing commitment to fairness, Council has increased the pensioner rate rebate by a further $50. This makes Council’s pensioner rebate among the highest in Victoria, delivering real value to our community. The increased rebate will help pensioners meet rising living costs, while ensuring Council can continue to provide high-quality services.

With $11.19 million allocated this year towards capital works, residents will also see progress on vital community infrastructure projects, such as the Queenscliff Sports and Recreation Precinct and the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse Reserve – just two of more than 26 capital works projects to be funded this year.

Council has kept its average general rates in line with the Victorian Government’s rate cap of 2.5%. The actual increase you will find on your rates notice will depend on the movement of the valuation of your property in relation to the average movement in CIV (Capital Improved Value) across the Borough. Residential or tourism accommodation property owners will also notice a 2.45 per cent, or $7.55 increase in total waste management charges.

These increases will allow Council to generate the funds needed to ensure all residents continue to receive quality services and can access wellmaintained community assets and infrastructure.

The adopted budget can be downloaded via queenscliffe.vic.gov.au.

Planning for the long term

For the first time, Council has adopted a 10-year Long-Term Financial Plan alongside this budget. Although the latter is not mandatory under current legislation, Council recognises the benefits of financial planning over the medium to long-term. Our Long-Term Financial Plan outlines the issues and challenges Council anticipates over  the next 10 years, and key management strategies to address them.

SES audit shows Borough well prepared in case of emergency

Keeping our community safe is one of Council’s highest priorities. That’s why we’re proud to announce that State Emergency Service (SES) Regional Manager Ian Carlton recently presented Council with the Audit Certificate for the Borough’s Municipal Emergency Management Plan.

Many people were involved in the plan’s development over a long period of time: Council staff, local SES, Victoria Police and other emergency service agencies. Thank you to all concerned for your expert advice and the work you do to keep our community safe

The plan provides a touchstone for Council and first responders, ensuring everyone is well prepared to work together to assist residents and visitors in an emergency. You can read the plan on Council’s website.

Real-time updates of emergencies across Victoria are available at emergency.vic.gov.au.

Announcing our latest Community Environment Alliance grant recipients

Congratulations to our latest Community Environment Alliance grant recipients who share in nearly $3,500 of funding towards projects that will make the Borough more environmentally sustainable by:

Running household waste minimisation workshops and composting food waste and tableware at the SacredEdge Festival (Queenscliff  Uniting Church)

Rolling out reusable coffee mugs at community markets (Point Lonsdale Primary School)

Extending the Gardens for Wildlife program (Swan Bay Environment Association).

Council is delighted to support the commitment of these three groups to caring for our environment.

Second Lowlight Festival a resounding success

Our second Lowlight Festival ended last weekend. This year’s program provided some fantastic events for residents and visitors alike –from the Queenscliff Literary Festival throughout May to the Bellarine Lighthouse Film Festival at the end of June.

For me, the Lowlight highlight has to be the winter solstice fire sculptures – an eyecatching event across three sites that brought so many people outside on a freezing winter’s night. Congratulations to everyone involved in organising this year’s festival.

Council’s Community Listening Post in July

Join Councillors for our upcoming Community Listening Post in the Bay Room of the Queenscliff Uniting Church on Thursday July 25 2019 at 10.30am.

Upcoming Council Meetings

The next Ordinary Meeting of Council will be held on Thursday July 25 2019 at 7.00pm in the Town Hall.