General News
1 November, 2023
Busy year for shire
Interesting read: Corangamite Shire mayor Ruth Gstrein encouraged residents to pick up a copy of the annual report released last week. IT was a busy 12 months for the Corangamite Shire Council with the council posted a hefty surplus of more than $7...
Interesting read: Corangamite Shire mayor Ruth Gstrein encouraged residents to pick up a copy of the annual report released last week.
IT was a busy 12 months for the Corangamite Shire Council with the council posted a hefty surplus of more than $7 million.
The Corangamite Shire Council Annual Report released last month showed the surplus of $7.06 million was up on the predicted surplus of $1.82 million.
The surplus was influenced by Victorian Grants Commission for 2023/24 paid 100 per cent in advance and a higher return on council’s investment due to stronger interest rates.
Council’s total capital works expenditure was $18.27 million – up on the $16.13 million in 2021/22 – which was largely attributed to the timing of council’s heavy plant replacement program and additional cell construction at the landfill.
Rates and charges comprised $24.11 million (38.53 per cent) of the total operating income of $62.85 million compared to the $23.27 million (42 per cent) of $55.7 million in 2021/22.
Mayor Ruth Gstrein said in her report to council the past year had been marked by natural disaster, progress on two of the largest ever capital works in the shire – the Twelve Apostles Trail and the Port Campbell Town Centre Project, staff and contractor shortages and the decision to no longer provide in-home aged care services.
“We developed and adopted the Cobden Structure Plan and the Grow and Prosper Framework after extensive community consultation,” she said.
“The Unlocking Housing Timboon and Simpson projects are proceeding well and will result in 30-40 residential lots in Timboon and 80-100 lots in Simpson.
“This strategic work represents significant steps towards creating opportunities for affordable housing, key worker accommodation and building economically strong and socially vibrant communities.
“Work continued on the Camperdown Production Precinct Masterplan which will attract new industry and business to Corangamite Shire.”
Cr Gstrein said there was a stronger focus on climate change in 2022/23, with more than $800,000 dedicated to climate change and sustainability initiatives in the budget.
“We recruited a climate change and emissions reduction officer position, purchased our first electric vehicle (EV) and installed an EV charging station at the Civic Centre,” she said.
“More than $50,000 was distributed to environment and sustainability projects through the Environment Supports Grants programs.”
Highlights of the year included investing $7 million into the resurfacing of 112 kilometres of the local roads network, resealed 65 kilometres of roads, resheeted 47 kilometres of gravel roads and rehabilitated 5.6 kilometres of road.
Thirty projects were completed as part of phase one and two of the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program including the Simpson Bowls Club redevelopment and two new bridges along the Camperdown-Timboon Rail Trail.
The Corangamite Moyne Library Service launched which has resulted in increases in programs, loans, members and visits across the year.
Challenges for the year included the decision to no longer provide in-home aged care services following a six month review.
A flooding event in October resulted in 44 local roads needing extensive repairs.
Worker, supplier and material shortages slowed delivery across a range of projects and resulted in a reduced ability for tenderers to bid for works, council to find staff to fill positions and increased numbers of delays on key infrastructure projects.
Cr Gstrein encouraged residents to get a copy of the annual report to read through.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the entire staff of Corangamite Shire who continue to deliver quality services to our community,” she said.
“I recommend to our residents and our ratepayers to have a look through the annual report just to see the breadth of serviced that we do deliver.”
Cr Geraldine Conheady said she was “really proud” of what the shire had delivered over the past 12 months.
“There’s been such a lot of work done in the past year and I’m just really proud of the Corangamite organisation; there’s been a genuine effort to achieve outcomes,” she said.
“I continue to be amazed at how many things that continue to be done right across the shire.”