Community projects on hold in strained council budget

MORE than $80 million worth of promised community projects are set to go on ice after the City of Greater Geelong handed down its draft 2023/24 budget on Wednesday this week.

The average household must also find an extra $100 a year to cover rates and waste collection bills, the city will cut funding to local organisations and events, and a the new CEO must find $4.5 million in “efficiencies” including staff cuts.

COGG said its cautious cost plan was necessary to navigate dangerous economic waters.

• Anakie Football Netball Club netball court
• Bell Park/Bell Post Hill Enhanced Early Years and Community Hub
• Chilwell Library redevelopment
• A pavilion redevelopment for South Geelong athletics facility Landy Field
• Portarlington Recreation Reserve Masterplan implementation
• Queens Park Golf Course pavilion redevelopment
• Regional Livestock and Information Exchange, and
• Highton Village laneways upgrades.

The city stated the held projects remain high on its agenda, but conceded they did not have a specific timeline or framework to return them to the council’s forward planning.

“We’re hoping to, as affordability increases each year going forward as is projected, we will be able to bring these projects to the forefront,” Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan said.

“That doesn’t mean we stop in the meantime on advocacy, talking of state governments, reviewing these projects. We’ll be constantly on top of this.”

Acting chief executive officer Kaarina Phyland said the city would consult with stakeholders including community groups on the wrong end of spending cuts starting this week.

The city will also seek extensions on delayed projects that have shared finding partnerships from state and federal governments.

In total, the city has projected it will return to an operating surplus of $1.28 million in the 2023/24 financial year, with a loss of $8.1 million expected this year.

The city will collect $305.3 million from rates and charges in 2023/24 – up $19.4 million from this financial year.

The average residential rates bill will climb to $1,479.81, $81 (or 5.8 per cent) higher than last year, after the council passed on the maximum allowed rate increase of 3.5 per cent and properties were revalued by the state auditor-general.

The residential waste collection charge will rise to $457 – $27.60 more than last year.

Commercial rates are down 5.8 per cent, in line with the council’s long-term plan to lower business costs, and will cost $4,937 on average.

The city will also reduce its spend on community grants by 10 per cent, cut the Geelong Major Events outlay by more than a quarter, and save about $180,000 less on partnerships with various community organisations.

It is also set to borrow up to $70 million in the next financial year to meet its service and project delivery targets.

The city’s budget is available to read and for community feedback at yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/2023-24-BRRP

Submissions are required by May 25, with a submissions panel hearing to take place on June 7.

All submissions will be considered before the council votes to adopt the budget at its June 27 meeting.