Council
9 May, 2024
Rates rise, funds flow in “tough” draft budget
MOYNE Shire Council will seek public feedback on a $62.5 million Draft Budget after a contentious vote at this week’s Special Meeting of Council.
The budget was put out for public consultation from yesterday (Wednesday, May 8) in a contentious 6-1 vote.
The capital works program has been proposed at $27.9 million inclusive of $7.3 million of projects carried forward from 2023-2024, including an asset renewal of $22.5 million.
Big ticket items in the budget include a $10.6 million investment in council’s road and bridge network, with a $6.2 million road rehabilitation proposal, a $2.2 million road resealing program, $1 million for resheeting unsealed roads, and $270,000 for sealed road shoulder reconstruction.
The budget includes a $1.7 million proposal for building upgrades, including a 150,000 fund to support the development of female change rooms at Mortlake’s DC Farran Oval and $100,000 towards a facility upgrade at Woorndoo Recreation Reserve.
In addition, a $2.7 million fund, pending government approval, has been set aside for the Koroit Township renewal works, $850,000 for town drainage works in Port Fairy and a $500,000 electrical upgrade for Gardens Caravan Park.
Moyne Shire mayor Cr Ian Smith said it was a responsible, balanced budget which had a focus on asset renewal and upgrade as well as continuing to deliver service the community expects.
Mortlake and Woorndoo are set to benefit from capital expenditure with upgrades for each down’s respective sporting precincts.
“Highlights of the capital program include council contributions of $100,000 to upgrade facilities at the Woorndoo Recreation Reserve, $50,000 towards the first stage of new female change facilities at Mortlake Recreation Reserve this year and a further $100,000 planned in the following year,” Cr Smith said.
“The budget also includes projects amounting to $26,000 to renew Mortlake’s Montgomery Pavilion.”
Cr Jordan Lockett moved the motion to put the Draft Budget out for public consultation, stating he “would not call it a saucy budget” but one which is “pragmatic and responsible”.
“The investment in roads is massive – there’s $17 million in the operating, there’s $9.7 million in works,” he said.
“Looking at the big three sporting grounds in our shire - female change rooms at DC Farran Oval, Vic Park lighting, Gardens Oval female change rooms – it’s great to see the sporting grounds in the shire flourishing, and may they all flourish with investment over the coming years.”
Cr Karen Foster said it had been a “really tough budget process” which was reflected in councillor frustrations.
“We are being asked to do more with less,” she said.
“Is it perfect? No, of course not. Are there projects I would love to have seen included? Absolutely. But I think we’ve done the best we can with what we have.”
Cr Smith said the budget also included ongoing funding for key programs like the Community Assistance Fund, Festival and Events Fund, Business Facade Improvement Program and Carbon Offset Fund.
“These are great community programs which provide funding to group, organisations, businesses and individuals for projects which make a real difference to our communities,” Cr Smith said.
“I’m pleased to be able to continue to support these programs.”
Cr Smith said the draft reflected the tough economic conditions the community is facing, and that the rate rise of 2.75 per cent was in line with the State Government rate cap which allowed council to continue delivering services.
“Council is also experiencing rising costs of fuel and materials, which has an impact on overall operations,” he said.
“Council has the services everyone knows about like roads and rubbish, but there is so much more we do that people often don’t realise.
“That includes Maternal Child and Health Care, kindergarten and childcare, youth programs, libraries, community development programs, business support, tourism services, and home-based care and support for people living with a disability and senior residents.
“The budget we have drafted looks at ensuring we can continue to deliver these services for our communities in a responsible and sustainable way.”
Cr James Purcell voted against the Draft Budget being released, stating “I don’t feel like this is my budget”.
“We’ve been through the process with very little in there that I believe relates to the community,” he said.
“I do believe we listen to the community, but I don’t believe we include that on an ongoing basis.
“We say we can’t include everything, and that’s true, but we have a windfall of $3.3 million a year that we get from renewable energy – I don’t believe we’ve used that well enough.
“Nobody can tell me where it’s gone; this is not my budget, I can’t support it going out.”
Cr Purcell questioned if an extension could be sought from the Victorian Government because he felt councillors had “been fed” a budget which was not their budget, nor the budget of the community.
Cr Doukas questioned if it was possible to delay the process, however acting CEO Peter Brown “strongly caution(ed) council against not adopting a budget by the end of the period and bringing the attention of the minister to Moyne Shire”.
As mover, Cr Lockett said there was a legislated responsibly to get the budget out on time, and noted changes could still be made.
“It’s not my budget, it’s our budget, and it’s the community’s turn to have their say,” he said.
The Draft Budget can be viewed from Wednesday May 8, online at Engage Moyne or at a Council Customer Service Centre in Mortlake.
People making a submission will also be able to indicate if they wish to present that submission to a councillor workshop.
Feedback will be accepted until 4pm, Tuesday, May 28.
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