Rates up, more COVID support in budget

THE City of Greater Bendigo has put its 2021/22 budget out for community feedback and it’s proposing a rate increase of 1.5 per cent.

As part of the document the municipality is reporting a revenue of $220 million with a proposed expenditure of $200 million for the next financial year.

Corporate performance director Andrew Cooney said the rate increase is in line with the Victorian Government’s Fair Go rates system.

“Council has not applied for a variation and will absorb increasing costs within current allocations,” he said.

As part of the budget a $2 million COVID-19 support package has been proposed, with money allocated for struggling businesses and event attraction.

Also targeting those impacted by the pandemic 420 community fees will be waived for businesses including parking fees, swimming pool entry and costs to hire community facilities.

Mayor Cr Jennifer Alden said support the community remains a focus for the municipality, even as COVID-19 restrictions ease.

“The Budget recognises the ongoing challenges associated with COVID-19,” she said. “Further freezing or waiving fees and charges will lessen the financial burden for business and community groups wanting access to local facilities.”

However, rising landfill fees from the Environment Protection Authority mean the general waste charge will increase with properties with a 140-litre curb side rubbish bin charged an extra $27 from 1 July.

Mr Cooney said the rise in waste charge was out of council’s control.

“We’ve always worked with the community to have a landfill service that’s cost reflective so we’re trying to cover as many of those costs as we can,” he said.

A further $56 million will be invested into the City’s capital works program, with long term projects at the Bendigo Botanic Gardens central hub, Catherine McAuley College and Kennington Pavilion all receiving funding.

“It is wonderful to be able to allocate funding towards the construction of the central hub at the Bendigo Botanic Gardens, which will connect the 19th century heritage gardens with the contemporary Garden of the Future,” Cr Alden said.

“The City has worked collaboratively with Catharine McAuley College to deliver much-needed facilities to the growing community in Junortoun, which will be shared by the school and the wider community.

“It is very exciting to see some of these long-term projects come to fruition.”

The municipality has allocated $15 million for roads, $1.2 million for bridges and $2.9 million for drainage works across the local government area.

Also included in the budget is $3 million for footpaths, with a third of that allocated towards new pathways.

“Through COVID-19 we saw a significant increase in the use of our pedestrian and bike paths,” Cr Alden said.

“We want this to continue and to make sure residents across Greater Bendigo have the option to walk and ride safely and easily around the neighbourhood.”

As part of a push to free up existing residential land, rates on vacant lots will increase as council hopes to increase housing supply.

Mr Cooney said the new rates will act as an incentive for land to be put on the market quicker.

“Whilst we’re see a really busy construction industry right now which is terrific for the economy, there is a concern that if land is not continued to be developed that in a couple of years that construction industry may not see the same activity,” he said.

“We’re trying to ensure there’s a pipeline of land available supporting the construction industry and also supporting our community members that are trying to purchase houses.”

Council is now calling on public feedback on the 2021/22 budget, via letstalkgreaterbendigo.com.au.