Share your thoughts on Council’s Draft Budget 2023/24

Published on 18 May 2023

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The Central Goldfields Shire Council Proposed Budget 2023/24 is now available for public feedback, following endorsement at a Special Council Meeting last night (16/05).

The Proposed Budget is available to view on Council’s website www.engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au/draftbudget2023  with feedback invited until 5pm, Friday 9 June, 2023.

Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Cr Grace La Vella said developing the Annual Budget is without doubt one of the most significant jobs of Council each year and that’s why it’s so important we get it right.

“The 2023/24 Draft Budget implements the key objectives of the 2021-2025 Council Plan as well as our commitment to deliver more than 40 services to our community.

“It has been developed at a challenging time with rapidly rising interest rates, cost of living and housing affordability pressures a challenge for all Australians.

“These economic challenges also impact on Council’s ability to balance our budget – with rising costs running well ahead of the rate cap set by the Victorian Government for the 2023-2024 year.

“In 2022/23 the rate cap was set at 1.75% in a year where CPI hit a high of 8.4%. The rate   cap for 2023/24 is set at 3.5%, well below the current rate of inflation which means we need to reduce our expenditure to remain financially sustainable.  

“As in previous years, we’re thrilled we’ve been able to attract more than $12 million in grants towards a number of significant local projects, which means that together with Council funding our Capital Works Program will exceed $18 million. This investment will not only provide a stimulus to our local economy but will result in some fantastic community facilities and assets.

“Another highlight is the $6.8 million that will be invested in repairing our roads and community infrastructure following last year’s floods. We know this is important to our community and so it’s fantastic these works will be delivered.

“We encourage our community to review the Draft Budget and to provide us with feedback as we work to develop the final Council Budget ready for adoption in June.”

Highlights from the Capital Works program include:

  • Deliver Road Restoration Program to repair significant damage incurred following the October 2022 floods utilising Natural Disaster Financial Assistance funding to approximate value of $6.8 million.
  • Building Upgrades and renewal works to the Maryborough Town Hall
  • Redevelopment of the Deledio Reserve Netball Courts
  • Development of an Indigenous Interpretive Garden at the Central Goldfields Art Gallery
  • Completion of Goldfields Reservoir Dam stabilisation works
  • Delivery of Road reseals and asphalt program
  • Investment in IT Strategies including Cyber Security, website integration and Financial System upgrades

 

Other key projects to be undertaken in 2023/24 include:

  • Review of heritage controls in Maryborough
  • Continue with the next stage in the activation of the Maryborough Railway Station
  • Construction of new toilets in Rene Fox Gardens Dunolly
  • Growing Victoria works at Phillips Gardens
  • Completion of the Talbot Futures planning project
  • Local Laws review in accordance with statutory requirements before current law expires in 2025.
  • Feasibility and design work for a new Youth Hub
  • Scoping and design for key heritage preservation projects on facilities such as Princess Park Grandstand, Talbot Town Hall and Dunolly Town Hall to improve opportunities in gaining external funding for major required renewal works.

 

Grant funded projects that will continue or begin in 2023/24 include:

  • Engage Youth Program
  • Freeza Program
  • L2P Program
  • Municipal Emergency Resourcing Program
  • Kerbside Reform Support
  • Flood recovery coordination

 

To view the Proposed Budget and provide feedback visit:  www.engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au/draftbudget2023

Community members are also encouraged to tune in to two online information sessions via Council’s Facebook page: 

  • Introduction to Budget – Tuesday 30 May, 12 to 12.30pm
  • Budget in detail – Monday 5 June, 12.30 to 1pm  

The live sessions will be recorded and available to watch back for those unable to tune in at this time.

 

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