New City budget adopted

CITY of Greater Bendigo councillors have hailed their 2024-25 budget, adopted at Monday night’s council meeting, as “responsible” and “level.”

While adhering to the state government 2.75 per cent rate rise cap, the city has projected an operating budget of $169 million, about 60 per cent or $154.8 million of which will come from rates and charges.

The major increase to ratepayers will be in waste services; $34 for a 140-litre bin.

Due to a state government plan to boost revenue from its Fire Services Levy by 22 per cent next financial year, residential properties will pay an extra $35 and farm properties another $150.

Despite the constraints, councillors are satisfied the budget responds to community desires on where money will be spent.

Cr Matthew Evans criticised what he called cost-shifting from governments to councils – for example the Fire Services Levy – but praised officers’ efforts in preparing the document.

“This budget is a level budget,” he said.

Alongside the operating budget, which funds maintenance of parks, gardens, recreation facilities, road maintenance, tourism and more, the city has also set out a $59.3 million capital works program.

Highlights include more than $11 million for road renewal works in Nolan Street, Forest Lane and Howard Street, a $3 million road patching program, $153,000 for rehabilitation at the Eaglehawk Landfill, and $2.8 million for footpaths and associated facilities.

Contributions are to be made to various city projects and facility upgrades, $476,000 will be spent on public furniture, barbecue and drinking fountains, $50,000 is for support of the Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration, there’s $320,000 for electrification and solar panel installations at council-owned facilities, and recreational facility spending.

At Monday’s meeting, mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the council had to be realistic about the gap in revenue-raising ability and the cost of delivering services and funding new projects.

“However, our decision-making remains focused on achieving the best community outcomes,” Cr Metcalf said.

Cr Margaret O’Rourke said preparing a budget in the current environment was “a big job; a big responsibility.”

“I think we can all say we’ve done the responsible thing again this year,” Cr O’Rourke said.

Cr Vaughan Williams said community involvement in the budget preparation – 194 people contributed through the city’s Let’s Talk platform – was “fantastic,” but described the Fire Services Levy rises as “a bit of a tough stretch.”

“This budget is a comprehensive, community-focused financial plan that balances immediate needs with long-term sustainability,” he said.

Cr Jennifer Alden added: “We are able to claim this budget is a responsible one.

“One priority we all agree on … is to continue the focus, often requested by the community, on footpaths,” she said.

Cr Rod Fyffe stressed his dissatisfaction with the rate capping system. He said many progressive councils around the world did not have to operate under rate caps and were able to invest well in their communities.

The adopted budget can be viewed on the city’s website.