Shire’s budget revealed

THE Golden Plains Shire council has announced its 2021-22 draft budget.

Indicating the Shire’s fiscal plan for the next financial year, the document proposes rate increases at 1.5 per cent, the maximum allowed under the State Government’s rate cap.

The district’s waste management fee could also see an increase, from $335 to $385, for each property that receives the Shire’s waste services.

At the council meeting on Tuesday, 28 April, Cr Owen Sharkey said councillors will be, “Really listening to the community,” in the coming weeks.

“It’ll be just interesting to see how the community receives the budget, scrutinises the budget and gives us their feedback because at the end of the day it’s their money that we’re spending,” he said.

“I’m sure that the community will see a lot of wins in there, but there is going to be a few losses in there.”

The draft budget has outlined a total operating revenue of $49.3m.

$14.6 million of the budget will be used for the Shire’s capital works program, of which $9.6 million will be backed through municipal funds.

Based on long term financial modelling and external revenue sources, council is also anticipating a budget deficit of $500,000.

Cr Clayton Whitfield said the monetary shortfall should be feasible.

“The bottom line does show an underlying deficit of half-a-million dollars, but we’ve been assured by our number crunchers that forecasting indicates that this is sustainable,” he said.

“I look forward to this budget going out to the public for feedback and I welcome the submissions that come from that.”

The draft revenue and rating plan 2021-22 to 2024-25 was also approved by council and will be made available for landowners to scrutinise.

The budget plan will be open for public review and comment until Friday, 28 May. Resident feedback will be addressed at a council meeting on Tuesday, 8 June.