Council takes Budget and Road Management Plan to the community
Strathbogie Shire Council will host two meetings to present Council's 2010/11 budget information and its Road Management Plan Review to the public.
The first meeting will be held on Monday 5 July at the Nagambie Lakes Regatta Centre from 1pm where the budget information will be presented followed by the Road Management Plan review from 3-5pm.
The second meeting, on Tuesday 6 July at Euroa's Wesley Hall in Bury Street will also begin at 1pm for the budget presentation followed by the Road Management Plan review from 3-5pm.
Strathbogie Shire Council is proposing three major changes, which will increase the average rates bill by $228, in its draft Budget for 2010 - 2011.
Council is proposing to:
1. Increase rates by 4% and introduce an 11% Infrastructure Catch-up levy;
2. Phase out the Rural Land Rebate program over three years; and
3. Re-introduce the 20% differential rate on land zoned Commercial/Industrial.
Mayor Howard Myers said that Council agonised over the decision and understands the extra financial burden it will place on families and businesses but felt that Council had to continue to provide a broad range of services and improved infrastructure.
"Given the large geographic area of our Shire and the comparatively small number of people living in it, the money collected from rates, combined with the funding from the State and Federal governments is not enough to provide the services the community expects, as well as maintain the ageing infrastructure," he said.
Service provision and improved infrastructure can't be addressed without Council seeking additional funding. Council is left with only three options. Council could either:
- Cut back services by for example, closing pools, libraries, meals on wheels and putting money into maintaining roads, bridges and other infrastructure;
- Cut back on road and bridge maintenance, with lower speed limits and rougher surfaces which will increase wear and tear on vehicles, and put money into maintaining services (as mentioned above); or
- Increase the money collected from the Shire's residents and ratepayers.
Council has also raised the issue of the funding inequity with both the State and Federal governments, but so far has not received any additional support.
These options will be discussed at the community meetings that will be held on 5th and 6th July at Nagambie and Euroa respectively.
The proposed 4% rate rise is based on CPI increases and the recommendation of the MAV (Municipal Association of Victoria) Cost index. The 11% Infrastructure Catch-up levy will help fund an extra $1.12million of urgently required road works.
CEO, Kevin Hannagan said, "This levy will need to be continued for at least another two years to address Council's infrastructure backlog. We have outlined a five year plan to address this in our draft Rating Strategy."
Phasing out the Rural Land Rebate program over three years will return $650,000 to Council's budget. The increased Commercial/Industrial rate will fund specific initiatives Council undertakes to support business.