Young basketballer celebrated – Golden Plains Shire council meeting briefs

SMYTHES Creek resident Riley Dunn received a citizen recognition award during April’s Golden Plains Shire council’s regular meeting.

The passionate 16-year-old basketballer received the nod after recently representing regional Victoria, and the Shire, in a significant competition.

“Riley commenced playing and training as a six-year-old and was recently successful in gaining selection in the Vic Country team that competed in the Australian Under 18 Men’s National Basketball Championships from the 9th to the 17th of April,” mayor Cr Gavin Gamble said.

“He grew up watching his family members play basketball since the age of two and loved following his heroes in the NBA.”

Riley was presented with a certificate and a gift card by the mayor on behalf of the municipality.

 

Draft budget released

The Shire’s draft 2022-23 budget is now publicly available for viewing.

Director corporate services Simon Rennie said it’s been developed after a series of councillor workshops and strategic briefings over the last three months, and is presented with a total operating revenue of $53.2 million.

“The rate revenue this year for the pool of rates that is allowed to be collected was modelled at 1.75 per cent, which is the average rate cap increase,” he said.

“We’re pleased to be recommending a balanced budget with an underlying surplus of $100,000 and noting that the council’s financial sustainability needs to be above the threshold of zero,” Mr Rennie said.

“Capital works for next year have $18.8 million, of around $9.5 million funded from council cash.”

The draft budget includes windfarm income, and the salary and wage increases included are estimates considering a new and developing enterprise bargaining agreement.

“The waste management fees have increased by $10 per property following the negotiation of a new curb side collection contract, and that $10 is already inclusive of the $20 a tonne State Government landfill levy increase,” Mr Rennie said.

“The council user fees are also increasing at 1.75 per cent… except for some fees, such as kindergarten fees, which have to be based on cost recovery.”

Cr Clayton Whitfield said feedback is open until Monday, 30 May.

“I would encourage anyone who’d like to, to make a submission,” he said.

The budget is expected to be considered from adoption during the Tuesday, 28 June council meeting.

 

Enhancing northern streetscapes

Councillors have adopted the framework document for the Northern Streetscape Project.

Director infrastructure and development Phil Josipovic said the plan will assist in the delivery of beautification and character-enhancing works in Linton, Scarsdale and Smythesdale along the “popular” northern corridor.

“The framework is structured, providing a high-level overview of the project objectives and a summary of community feedback,” he said.

“Each town is addressed individually, providing details of the specific community feedback, site analysis, design response, and suggested planting palette, before concluding with a before photo and indicative artist’s impression after sketch.”

The works are set to be reasonably cosmetic and will not impact the state of the highway which is an arterial road managed by Regional Roads Victoria.

“The development of the framework plan was heavily influenced through the involvement and input from key stakeholders; the Department of Transport and the community,” Mr Josipovic said.

“Two rounds of community consultation offered the community an ability to provide meaningful input into the initial conceptual development of the framework, and then allowed them to review and supply feedback on the initial concept designs.

“The final framework… is a well-informed community-driven approach.”

Key areas highlighted by community members include pedestrian safety, slower vehicle speeds, increased maintenance, and outdoor furniture upgrades.

An implementation plan is being prepared, and the framework has been sent to the State in the hopes that government will support the Shire throughout project delivery.

Cr Ian Getsom said beautification is “a long time coming” in the Shire’s north.

“I’ve been to each meeting with residents and we’ve come to a solution which is fairly agreeable… This is well worth it,” he said.

 

Mayor to attend national conference

Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Gavin Gamble is set to attend the National General Assembly of Local Government 2022.

Former mayor Cr Helena Kirby said the trip up to Canberra for the NGA conference is “part and parcel” of the mayoral role, with expenditure covered by the municipality.

“It’s all about working with your colleagues, going along and listening to the bigger picture and the articles that are presented,” she said.

“Every year a different mayor has gone up. I endorse Cr Gamble going along and look forward to him coming back with some great ideas.”