MORE than $20 million of new funding has been earmarked for capital works across the Surf Coast Shire in the council\u2019s draft 2019-20 budget.<\/p>\n
Along with works already under way, the shire aims to deliver projects worth $25.9 million during the next financial year.<\/p>\n
The $6.5 million redevelopment of Lorne\u2019s Stribling Reserve pavilions is the largest single project.<\/p>\n
Others include $2.706 million for the upgrade and rehabilitation of South Beach Road, $1.283 million for the widening and upgrading of Coombes Road and $214,5999 for the Deans Marsh Memorial Playground.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the primary considerations in developing the draft budget is to achieve a balance between meeting current community aspirations while preparing for the longer-term trends,\u201d Shire mayor Rose Hodge said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe draft 2019-20 budget continues to fund council\u2019s existing services and provides for important capital works and initiatives while anticipating the long-term financial challenges inherent in managing growth within a rate capped revenue environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cCouncil\u2019s award-winning project management program continues to deliver a wide range of projects ranging from road infrastructure to sports and community facilities.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the council had also allocated $7.168 million for asset renewal.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn total council is spending $10 million on roads in the 2019-20 year, comprising $6 million on capital works and $4 million on roads maintenance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shire chief executive officer Keith Baillie said the council was only about halfway into \u201cestablishing a steady state\u201d in reaction to losing revenue under the state government\u2019s rate capping system, although it had saved about $5 million in the past four years.<\/p>\n
The Shire will borrow $3.3 million in 2019-20 to help fund the Stribling Reserve project. Mr Baillie said the resulting increase to the Shire\u2019s debt level ($18.5 million in 2019-20) would be a factor in the council\u2019s consideration of an aquatic centre in Torquay, which he said would begin within six months after the federal election.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we do that, what other things may not be able to be done? And that\u2019s a conversation we will need to have with the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Submissions on the draft budget close at noon on May 27. Head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au\/yoursay.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MORE than $20 million of new funding has been earmarked for capital works across the Surf Coast Shire in the council\u2019s draft 2019-20 budget. Along with works already under way, the shire aims to deliver projects worth $25.9 million during the next financial year. The $6.5 million redevelopment of Lorne\u2019s Stribling Reserve pavilions is the […]<\/p>\n