Cash spread in shire budget

THE Surf Coast Shire council has allocated $1 million for the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre as part of its 2021-22 Budget, which aims for an equitable spend across the shire.

Mayor Libby Stapleton said the budget, adopted last week, also included $100,000 worth of initiatives that responded to community submissions received during the exhibition of the draft budget.

These initiatives include a walkway in Aireys Inlet, and contributions to the Surf Coast Arts Space multi-arts centre and Aireys Inlet Open Mic Festival, the Winchelsea Arboretum and Tree Trail seed funding and safety improvements for Bellbrae students riding to school.

“This is an exciting time to live in the Surf Coast Shire and we have much to look forward to in terms of upcoming community facilities and infrastructure for our growing population base, balanced with our commitment towards environmental stewardship,” Cr Stapleton said.

The budget includes a rate increase of 1.5 per cent, in line with the state rate cap, and waste charges will increase by 1.4 per cent to enable many of the environmental reforms to be funded.

The council will become a certified carbon neutral organisation by the end of the financial year 2021-22, through the Federal Government’s Climate Active program.

Other investments in the budget to support the environment include the continued funding of council’s Towards Environmental Leadership program, preparing the next section of the Anglesea Landfill, and further work to transition council buildings to use of renewable energy.

Shire residents will also benefit from the council’s $28 million spend on capital works to create active and connected communities, as well as $16.68 million for road upgrades, maintenance and renewal, and $400,000 for council’s road safety program.

The budget was adopted with an 8:0 vote, with Cr Paul Barker abstaining from voting due to a potential conflict of interest.

Other key projects in the 2021-22 Budget include:

• Anglesea Landfill stage 3E works – $1,010,000
• Barwon Park Road shoulder widening and reconstruction – $962,500
• Anglesea Netball pavilion redevelopment (subject to successful grant) – $676,120
• Bell Street, Torquay pavement rehabilitation (Surf Coast Hwy to The Esplanade) – $432,000
• Solar and energy savings at council sites business case – $375,054
• Environmental Leadership Program – $280,000 ($30,000 partly funds the Carbon Neutrality Program)
• Council Carbon Neutrality Program – $185,267
• Sealed Road Renewal – Reservoir Road (Cape Otway to Ervins roads) – $150,000
• Torquay waste drop-off operations trial – $140,966
• Pennyroyal Valley Road resheeting and drainage works – $132,000
• Stribling Reserve reconstruction of netball court – $124,000
• Facility improvements annual implementation plan (Disability Discrimination Act) – $100,000
• Wensleydale Station Road (Casboults to Holloways Road) unsealed shoulder renewal – $77,000
• Former Winchelsea Shire Hall modifications – $72,500
• Heritage Study Stage 3 Winchelsea district – $44,000
• Anglesea Arts Space works – $40,000
• Lorne Men’s Shed drainage upgrade – $28,293, and
• Aireys Inlet Top Shops drainage works – $ 27,500
• Public art allocation – $25,000.