Proposed Moorabool Shire 2020/21 Annual Budget

Project Overview

The Proposed 2020/21 Annual Budget is now available for all residents to review and provide written feedback to Council for consideration in accordance with Section 223 of the Local Government Act 1989.

Council will consider written submissions received by 5pm on Tuesday 23 June 2020 at the Ordinary Meeting of Council to be held on Wednesday 1 July 2020 at 6.00pm, at the Council Chamber, Ballan.

You can provide your submission by clicking on the link below. Submissions close Tuesday 23 June 2020.

The survey is now closed. Thanks for participating.

Budget Summary

Moorabool Shire Council has seen significant growth in recent years and our capital program has been developed to meet community infrastructure needs now and into the future. The proposed Capital Improvement Program for 2020/21 is $27.609 million (includes $3.579 million in works carried forward from 2019/20). Of this total, $9.448 million relates to new works, $10.090 million relates to the renewal of assets, and $8.071 million is for the upgrade of assets. Some of the key projects proposed as part of the 2020/21 Capital Program include:

  • Ballan Recreation Reserve Pavilion - ($3.250 million)
  • Bacchus Marsh Indoor Recreation Facility - ($2.600 million)
  • Ballan Depot - Construction Stage 1 - ($1.750 million)
  • Yendon-Lal Lal Road, Lal Lal - Rehabilitation - ($0.897 million)
  • West Maddingley Early Years Facility - ($0.848 million)
  • Yendon-Egerton Road, Mount Egerton - Rehabilitation - ($0.693 million)
  • Dunnstown Recreation Reserve - Female Friendly Facilities Grant - ($0.599 million)
  • Mill Park, Ballan - Community Facilities Grant - ($0.506 million)
  • Bacchus Marsh Racecourse & Recreation Reserve - Design of Stage 2 - ($0.550 million)
  • Franklin and Labilliere Streets, Maddingley - Upgrade - ($0.485 million)
  • Bald Hill - 1,000+ steps - Design & Construction - ($0.375 million)

In addition to the planned Capital Works Program, the 2020/21 Annual Budget will fund a number of new initiatives. Some of these being:

  • Efficiency Improvements in Customer Service - ($0.176 million net cost)
  • Learning & Development Specialist - ($0.082 million net cost)
  • Council Hosted Major Business Events - ($0.074 million net cost)
  • Gateway Strategy - ($0.060 million net cost)
  • Economic Development Strategy Update - ($0.050 million net cost)
  • Increase of Sealed Roads Maintenance Program - ($0.050 million net cost)
  • Increase of Unsealed Roads Maintenance Program - ($0.048 million net cost)
  • Increase of Playground Maintenance Program - ($0.040 million net cost)
  • Increase of Footpath Maintenance Program - ($0.040 million net cost)
  • Review of the Moorabool Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy - ($0.040 million net cost)

For the 2020/21 annual budget, rate increases have been capped at 2.00% in line with the Victorian Government’s Fair Go Rates System, and Moorabool Shire is committed to allocating an amount at least equivalent to the revenue generated from a 2.00% rate increase to help those in the community most impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In addition to this, Council has already put several steps in place:

  • Extension of rate payments to 30 September 2020 with no interest
  • Waived rent / ground hire fees till 30 September 2020 for all occupiers of Council buildings and facilities that have been required to close
  • The implementation of a specific COVID-19 Financial Hardship Policy to provide financial relief to residents and businesses who need it the most
  • Waived rent till 30 September 2020 for businesses occupying Council buildings and facilities that have been required to close
  • Payment of local suppliers weekly to improve business cash flow
  • Developed a buy local campaign supporting hospitality businesses
  • 12-month extension of expiry dates for septic and planning permits at no cost till 30 September 2020 due to financial hardship
  • The Waste Management Service Charge will reduce from $85.00 to $82.00 and the overall Waste Collection Charge will increase from $187.00 to $211.00. The State Landfill Levy will increase from $36.00 to $46.00, and the optional Kerbside Green Waste Service will increase from $77.00 to $78.00 for 2020/21.

Making a submission

Any person who wishes to be heard in support of a submission should indicate in the written submission that he or she wishes to be heard. Any person requesting that he or she be heard in support of a submission is entitled to appear before this Special Meeting of the Council either personally or by a person acting on his or her behalf and will be notified of the time and date of the meeting.

It should be noted by people making a submission to Council, that Council is required to maintain a public register of submissions made in accordance with Section 223 of the Act for a period of twelve months.  In accordance with Section 222 of the Act, any person is entitled to inspect and make a copy of a prescribed document contained in the public register of submissions made in accordance with Section 223 of the Act.

Please note that your submission will be available on this register for public access.  Whilst it is appropriate for submitters’ names and addresses to be disclosed to enable transparent decision making, if you have concerns about this, Council can provide you with the option of having your name and address remaining anonymous.  You should also be aware that the details contained in some submissions may be sufficient to identify the author of the submission to some readers.  Hence, if you wish your submission to remain anonymous you should bear this in mind when drafting it.

The Proposed 2020/21 Annual Budget can be viewed at Council offices located at

  • 15 Stead Street, Ballan
  • 182 Halletts Way, Darley
  • 215 Main Street, Lerderderg Library Bacchus Marsh and also online at www.moorabool.vic.gov.au

 

Written submissions on the Proposed 2020/21 Annual Budget are welcomed until 5pm on Tuesday 23 June 2020.

Provide your feedback on the Proposed 2020/21 Annual Budget today.

Please contact Customer Service on 5366 7100 should you have any queries in relation to the Proposed 2020/21 Annual Budget.

Written submissions should be addressed to;

The Chief Executive Officer

Budget Submission

Moorabool Shire Council

PO Box 18

Ballan VIC 3342

Or emailed to:

info@moorabool.vic.gov.au