Budget filled with community-led projects
Strathbogie Shire Council has adopted its 2022/23 Budget which not only ensures the continuation of Council’s core work, it provides for many new initiatives designed to improve amenity and lifestyle for residents and visitors.
Mayor, Cr Laura Binks, said in preparing the 2022/23 Budget, Council considered many factors to balance community expectations and benefits with financial responsibilities.
“We are excited to fund 13 community-led projects through the Pitch My Project initiative,” Cr Binks said.
“This includes $85,000 for a Shire-wide Playground Master Plan, incorporating design of a nature play space in Euroa, $15,000 for the Seven Creeks Master Plan in Euroa and $4,180 for the Euroa RSL memorial to Sir Charles Ryan.
“Also included is $55,000 for a carpark study in Avenel, $30,000 for the Longwood Master Plan, $95,000 for Strathbogie Memorial Hall roof works, $20,000 for a public art installation and more.
“The Pitch my Project initiative is a great way of ensuring we’re funding and completing the projects that matter to our community.”
She said as a result of all the fantastic submissions received, Council had also increased the overall budget for the Community Grant and the Community Events streams by $60,000.
“This means there’s more money available for fantastic projects in our community,” she said.
The 2022/23 Budget provides for a $14.87 million capital works program, together with $7.69 million carried forward from 2021/22.
In addition to the four-year period covered by this Budget, Council’s Long Term Financial Plan has been extended to cover a 10-year period which allows for a total expenditure on capital works over that period of $92.22 million.
“Some of the wonderful projects funded in this year’s capital works program are $35,000 for kitchen upgrades at the Strathbogie Memorial Hall, $10,000 for a fence extension at the Nagambie Bowls Club, $100,000 for a Kirwans Bridge options investigation and $100,000 for a Shire-wide Open Space Strategy,” she said.
Council has worked to minimise rate increases and prepared the Budget based on a 1.75 per cent increase in the average rate per property, which is under the State Government’s ‘Fair Go Rates’ legislation.
“The rate increase allows for maintenance of existing service levels, funding new initiatives and the allocation of sufficient funds for the continuing strategic renewal of Council’s infrastructure,” she said.
The 2022-23 Budget provides for operating expenditure of $32.28 million on services, including road and bridge maintenance, parks, open space and streetscape works and footpath and pedestrian bridge updates.
This Budget provides a significant amount for renewal of existing assets as well as the creation of new assets. Included in the capital programs are the completion of the Nagambie Foreshore Walk, rehabilitation of the Violet Town Landfill, sealing of Habel Rd in Nagambie, streetscape improvements and upgrades to aquatic facilities.
View the Budget documents here: