Like most organisations, the last two years threw multiple budgeting challenges at the City of Greater Geelong.<\/p>\n
Council adopted seven COVID-19 support packages over 2020 and 2021, worth an estimated $19 million, to assist businesses, community groups and residents impacted by the pandemic.<\/p>\n
We could see that the community was struggling with this unprecedented crisis and wanted to provide practical support through a range of measures.<\/p>\n
These included fee waivers for businesses, rent waivers for community and sporting tenants of City-owned grounds\/buildings, arts and culture skills and training, and free two-hour parking in Central Geelong.<\/p>\n
Initiatives such as our Geelong Business Concierge Service, Business Support Portal, quick response grants for community groups, and arts and culture recovery opportunities continue.<\/p>\n
Council is proud to have supported the community during such an uncertain time.<\/p>\n
This vital funding, coupled with the closure of council facilities during lockdowns and other factors from COVID-19, affected the organisation’s bottom line.<\/p>\n
Recently, council held a special meeting outside of our usual monthly meeting schedule.<\/p>\n
We considered the City’s financial results for 2021-22, which as chair of the Finance portfolio and a registered accountant, I found to be highly enjoyable!<\/p>\n
After two years of deficits, the City returned to a $10.6 million operating surplus last financial year.<\/p>\n
The operating result is ahead of the budgeted deficit, and has been largely driven by the organisation receiving $7.65 million in Commonwealth Grants Commission funding earlier than expected.<\/p>\n
Another factor that has contributed to the result is under-budget staffing costs of $7.3 million.<\/p>\n
The Annual Financial Report is always a good opportunity to review what and where capital works funding was spent.<\/p>\n
Council invested a record $195.7 million in capital works during 2021-22 on libraries, trees, footpaths, sporting grounds, community and arts hubs, LED street lighting, shared trails and more.<\/p>\n
That includes $32 million on parks and public open space and $24.8 million on roads.<\/p>\n
Investment extended to new swim facilities, with construction starting on the Northern Aquatic and Community Hub in Norlane ($5.2 million) and North Bellarine Aquatic Centre in Drysdale ($2.5 million).<\/p>\n
As a Windermere councillor, I’m particularly thrilled about this facility in the north getting underway as it’s been a long time coming.<\/p>\n
The finished product is expected to deliver $111 million in preventative health benefits during its first 10 years of operation!<\/p>\n
Council invested $2.5 million to complete the new pavilion and change facilities at Hume Reserve in Bell Park and $1.5 million on sports lighting upgrades at reserves across the region.<\/p>\n
Construction work also kicked off on the striking new Drysdale Library, with a $2.4 million investment in 2021-22 ($8.656 million total over four years, alongside a $1 million Living Libraries Infrastructure Program grant from the Victorian Government).<\/p>\n
The new and improved Leisurelink in Waurn Ponds is being well utilised after its $6.8 million upgrade.<\/p>\n
This facility revamp is the perfect example of how council is progressively increasing our annual spend on renewing existing assets (worth $4.2 billion), such as footpaths, roads and community facilities, over the next 10 years.<\/p>\n
Building new facilities remains vital to meeting population demands, but this evidence-based strategy also ensures that the community has equal access to infrastructure and services, regardless of where they live.<\/p>\n
This of course comes with significant financial challenges as our region grows, on top of a recent rapid escalation of costs across many aspects of the economy and supply chain issues.<\/p>\n
The City’s comprehensive result was boosted by $80 million worth of new drainage, roads and footpaths that developers gifted to the City from our urban growth areas.<\/p>\n
These assets are welcomed by residents, but they do add to our responsibilities and place further pressure on future budgets to maintain them.<\/p>\n
A further $29.3 million was from developer cash contributions, which will be invested back into community facilities in the near future, and $17.8 million was from capital grants.<\/p>\n
Getting back in the black is positive and complex,and reflects responsible management of funds.<\/p>\n
Council will continue to embed sustainability into every financial decision over the coming years.<\/p>\n
We must remain financially sustainable, so that we can keep delivering more than 130 services for the community.<\/p>\n
Cr Anthony Aitken<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Like most organisations, the last two years threw multiple budgeting challenges at the City of Greater Geelong. Council adopted seven COVID-19 support packages over 2020 and 2021, worth an estimated $19 million, to assist businesses, community groups and residents impacted by the pandemic. We could see that the community was struggling with this unprecedented crisis […]<\/p>\n