THE BOROUGH of Queenscliffe will remain debt-free and plans to continue shaving its underlying deficit despite inflationary pressure in a “reasonable” budget handed down last week.<\/p>\n
But the council will deliver a “modest” capital works program and pass on maximum rate increases as it faces increasing operating costs in coming years.<\/p>\n
The borough’s draft 2023\/24 budget and updated 10-year financial plan is now out for community comment after officers tabled the financials at April’s council meeting.<\/p>\n
The borough expects to be about $400,000 in the black in 2023\/24, with an underlying operating figure of $50,000.<\/p>\n
Financial statements show it expects a $2 million operating surplus for the current financial year \u2013 largely due to the recent sale of land at Murray Road to private developers and early receipt of financial assistance grants.<\/p>\n
Operating expenses are up 7.1 per cent ($896,000) compared with 2022\/23 and 5.6 per cent higher on an ongoing basis due to economic pressure, with increases in employee costs (up $473,000, 9.5 per cent) and materials and services ($428,000, 7.2 per cent) also affecting its bottom line.<\/p>\n
The council allocated $2.8 million for capital works spending, including $293,000 of projects carried over from the previous financial year and $829,000 in asset renewal.<\/p>\n
New projects include $1 million for development of the Point Lonsdale Maritime and Defence Precinct following a state government budget commitment, and $160,000 to upgrade lighting at Queenscliffe Recreation Reserve to deliver a federal government election promise.<\/p>\n
The average rates bill will rise by about $44 to $2,232, while waste management charges will be up by $29.24 (7.3 per cent).<\/p>\n
Cr Donnie Grigau quizzed chief executive officer Martin Gill about the borough potentially passing on a smaller rate increase of 3 per cent \u2013 but Mr Gill indicated doing so would have negative impacts elsewhere.<\/p>\n
“Maybe that’s something that emerges through the consultation, but it would mean a severe reduction in services to the community and potentially some redundancies too,” Mr Gill said.<\/p>\n
Cr Grigau encouraged borough residents to have their say on the draft budget in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n
“I think it’s over to the public now to go and review the papers, the budget papers and actually have your voice and say how you want your rates spent.<\/p>\n
“It’s very important, and the feedback has to come back to us to make sure that we deliver for you.”<\/p>\n
The borough will host an explanatory presentation evening on Wednesday, May 10 for council officers to explain the budget and for community members to ask questions.<\/p>\n
It will also receive submissions until May 25 for feedback to inform the council’s final decision to adopt the budget in June.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE BOROUGH of Queenscliffe will remain debt-free and plans to continue shaving its underlying deficit despite inflationary pressure in a “reasonable” budget handed down last week. But the council will deliver a “modest” capital works program and pass on maximum rate increases as it faces increasing operating costs in coming years. The borough’s draft 2023\/24 […]<\/p>\n