BALANCING the demands for services and infrastructure with the community’s capacity to pay is the rationale behind the framing of Gannawarra Shire Council’s proposed 2016-2017 budget.
The budget has been structured to maintain existing service levels while complying with the Victorian Government directive to limit its rates increase to 2.5 per cent.
Council proposes to retain its existing rate structure of four differential rates for residential, commercial/industrial, irrigation district and farmland dryland categories and a rate concession for recreational land.
Shire corporate services director, Tom O’Reilly said that the budget was also structured to deliver grant-subsidised projects aimed at promoting liveability and sustainability within the municipality and to provide a contribution towards the renewal of council’s infrastructure.
Mr O’Reilly explained that in the interests of rate burden equity, the differentials were structured for a 60 per cent contribution from residential and commercial/industrial categories and 40 per cent for both farming categories.
“We haven’t quite managed that split this year with 63.95 (per cent) and 36.05 (per cent),” he said.
The draft budget will be available for viewing on the council website, at council offices and at municipal libraries from today.
Information sessions will be held with respective progress associations and community groups at Cohuna, Kerang, Koondrook, Leitchville, Lake Charm, Lalbert, Quambatook, Murrabit and Macorna.
Submissions close at 5pm on Monday, June 6. If required, council will hold a special meeting to hear submissions.
