Bring ideas to City’s budget

COMMUNITY members are encouraged to have their say on the City of Greater Bendigo’s 2023/24 budget.

City of Greater Bendigo mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said it’s a great opportunity to share ideas to inform the municipality’s spending.

“The engagement process will help us to understand priorities and recurring themes in the community and inform the drafting of next year’s Council Plan actions and Budget,” she said.

“The City welcomes input on priorities but must also manage expectations. The budget funds 69 important community services, multi-year projects, essential infrastructure works and maintenance.

“The City will, of course, also prioritise our region’s recovery from recent floods, including critical roads and drainage projects.”

Ideas can be sent via online platform Let’s Talk Greater Bendigo until Wednesday, 30 November.

Ms Metcalf said it’s the only change residents will have to help shape the budget.

“In line with the [Local Government] Act, council does not intend to display a draft 2023/2024 Budget,” she said.

“The City is working towards presenting a draft Budget for adoption at the council meeting in May 2023, which will be a month earlier than in previous years.

“Being Budget-ready in May means we can start preparing further in advance for projects, works and initiatives that are to be funded from July 1, 2023 onwards.”

Suggestions can also be sent via mail to the municipality’s Bendigo or Heathcote customer service centres.