Dollars and sense: council calls for input on budget allocations

THE City of Greater Geelong is asking residents to have their say about the Council’s priorities for the 2024-25 budget.

The Council is in the process of preparing its budget for the 2024-25 financial year and want to hear from the community about how to allocate money to new projects.

Residents are being asked how they would spend $100 on council service areas.

Through the Council’s interactive “Have Your Say” page, residents can choose from 11 areas, including leisure, recreation and sport, environment, climate action and natural resources, and roads and bridges.

The Council considers community engagement on this issue as crucial, as it uses rates to fund essential services such as recycling and waste collections, road network maintenance, child and family services, park upkeep, major events, and environmental conservation.

Mayor Trent Sullivan said the council made changes to last year’s Proposed Budget as a result of community consultation.

“In light of financial constraints, we recognise the importance of involving the community in decisions that impact us all,’ Cr Sullivan said.

“Your input is invaluable as we strive to ensure our budget aligns with the priorities that matter most to you.”

The website includes a breakdown of how every $100 of council rates will be spent in the 2023-24 budget.

The breakdown reveals that for every $100 spent, $34.62 is allocated to capital works, $11.58 to waste management, and $3.49 to arts, culture, and libraries.

Residents can have their say by sharing their views about the areas that the Council should prioritise. They can also make a written submission to Council through the website about what the budget priorities should be.

Once the community has provided their feedback, the draft Council budget will be prepared alongside other considerations of the Council, including funding commitments for services, infrastructure and ongoing projects.

Community engagement and feedback is open now and will close on 17 December 2023.

The Council will review a shortlist on 9 March 2024. Draft budget community consultation will be held in April to May 2024 and the budget will be endorsed in June 2024.