Anglesea and Deans Marsh projects added as shire adopts 2019-20 budget

THE Surf Coast Shire has adopted its 2019-20 annual budget after the consideration of public submissions.

The council received 134 community submissions, and lodged its own organisational submission, during the exhibition period for the draft budget between April 24-May 27.

A hearing of submissions meeting was held on June 4.

Shire deputy mayor Clive Goldsworthy said it was encouraging to see the community had engaged with the budget process.

“The budget sets the scene for much of the Council’s activity in the coming year so it’s great to see community groups and individuals taking an active interest in the budget process.

“I’m pleased to note Council has been able to adjust the budget to accommodate community aspirations throughout the shire.

“From footpaths and road upgrades to support for arts and cultural activities, there is great diversity in the range of community submissions supported in the budget.”

The community submissions led to several new items being added to the final budget, including:
• Anglesea Hall upgrade contribution ($30,000)
• Anglesea pathway Camp Road ($106,000), and
• Deans Marsh pathway Birregurra-Deans

Marsh Road ($333,000) Along with works already under way, the council aims to deliver a record $26.9 million capital works program in the 2019-20 financial year, including $6.6 million towards Lorne’s Stribling Reserve pavilions redevelopment and $1.3 million towards Coombes Road widening and upgrading The average residential rate increase will be 2.5 per cent, the maximum allowed under the state government’s rate capping system. The recycling and waste charge will also increase by 2.5 per cent.

The council also adopted its final rating strategy.

One of the key changes is a reduction in the amount paid by owners of vacant land.

Previously, vacant land attracted a rate differential two times as high as a residential property. The new strategy sets the vacant land rate at the same amount as the residential rate.

“The higher rate was an historic measure aimed at preventing land banking but there is no evidence to suggest this is currently an issue in the shire, and recent changes to how bushfire overlays are applied means some vacant land cannot readily be developed in any case,” Cr Goldsworthy said.