Councillors to make call on budget

THE City of Greater Bendigo’s proposed budget for the upcoming financial year will be evaluated at the next council meeting on Monday.

Underpinned by a 3.5 per cent rate rise spread across the municipality, the plan also includes millions in borrowing and a $68 million capital works program.

Unlike previous years, community feedback on the budget wasn’t sought in the month leading to councillors’ decision on the document, rather input on planning was undertaken late last year.

Municipal director of corporate performance Jessica Howard said this year’s budget is the “most challenging” the City has had in a long time.

“We are dealing with the same cost escalation challenges being experienced by many other organisations,” she said.

“The City is acutely aware of the financial stress many households and businesses are under, and the budget funds many important projects and services the community relies upon.

“City-led investments also help to invigorate the local economy.

“For most local governments, the reality of operating under rate capping, with the cost of materials and services increasing, means there are many community projects that could not be funded in this budget.

“The budget will be supported by a conservative amount of borrowings of up to $8.6 million.

“A prudent approach is necessary to avoid placing additional financial pressure on the organisation, with borrowings to fund significant capital projects where there is a demonstrated benefit to future generations.

“The budget focus has been on community priorities that enhance residents’ everyday living, ensuring we see through financial commitments for multi-year capital works projects and continuing to deliver important services to the community.”

The 2023/2024 budget has rates capped at 3.5 per cent, the maximum allowable under State Government rules, compared to last year’s 1.75 per cent.

Fees and charges are also going up.

“Consumer price index increases to fees have been applied across most city fees,” Ms Howard said.

“These fee increases are not intended to make up lost revenue from previous years where fees were frozen due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but rather to reinstate annual increases.”

The budget includes a $68 million allocation to capital works for infrastructure such as roads and paths, and a $168 million operating budget for waste collection, streets, parks, and public facilities.

Households will be charged an extra $27 annually for waste collection services.

“As with previous years, council has not applied for a variation to the rate cap as it seeks to absorb increasing costs for supplies, goods, and services,” the budget document preamble says.

“This requires efficiencies to be made within operations to ensure services can continue.

“Residents will see a small rise in the general waste charge to cover increased costs of this service.

“The rise reflects the costs of providing the service; the City does not make a profit from waste services.”

With no feedback period available to the public on the budget this year, in line with changes to the state’s Local Government Act, Ms Howard thanks those who took part in budgetary consultations in November last year.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank residents for their time and effort to provide input and feedback at the start of the budget process,” she said.

“We received a record number of priorities compared to previous years.

“There were many great ideas and the overwhelming feedback from the community engagement was the importance of creating healthy liveable places and spaces in Greater Bendigo.

“Some priorities raised by residents during the engagement process were already taken into consideration as part of renewal and new capital works programs or earmarked as part of other potential projects in the future.”