Council adopts 2022-2023 Budget
Published on 29 June 2022
Corangamite Shire Council this week adopted its $51.3 million 2022-2023 Budget.
The proposed Budget will deliver a $1.8 million operating surplus and will see Council remain debt free for a fifth year. It includes a rate increase of 1.75%, in line with the State Government’s rate capping framework.
Waste Management Charges are forecast to cost $2.3 million, up from $1.6 million in 2021-2022 due to a significant increase in State Government levies, sustained high fuel prices and expected high CPI for the June quarter. As a result, the waste management charge (per eligible household) will increase by 9.13%.
The $17 million capital works program includes:
- $7.61 million for road rehabilitation, roads to recovery projects, resheeting and resealing.
- $1.87 million to replace plant, vehicles and information technology.
- $1.72 million for buildings including a roof upgrade at the Camperdown saleyards, upgrades at Camperdown long day care, swimming pool renewal and energy and water savings
Mayor Ruth Gstrein said the budget was a responsible and forward looking document that connected well with the Community 2040 Vision and four-year Council Plan.
“A $51 million budget—It’s a lot of money and we’re very mindful of how we spend those valuable dollars,” Cr Gstrein said.
“One aspect which I think was highlighted by the council’s Community Vision that was done last year was the issue around climate change.
“It’s really pleasing to see that Council is going to recruit a Climate Change and Emissions Reduction Officer for a fixed term of two years which is going to be fantastic
“They will work with our communities to drive energy and water saving initiatives.
“Council is also going to look at installing electric vehicle charging stations at the council office and depots as we transition our fleet over to an electric fleet.
“We also have ongoing our environment support grants which are always very, very popular and help our community groups and individuals implement enviro projects which is fantastic.
“We’re looking at ways of improving our drainage throughout our towns particularly for those severe storm events.”
Cr Gstrein said the $170,000 commitment to trainees and apprentices was another forward thinking initiative.
“With this we aim to provide real career path for some of the Shire’s young people so they don’t have to move away for work. It will also strengthen the skills base in the Shire heading into the future.”
Cr Gstrein said the Budget also provided for the much anticipated stage two of the Cobden streetscape, a new roof on the Camperdown saleyards and upgrades to the Skipton and Simpson rec reserves.
She said Council remained committed to maintaining local roads and advocating to the State and Federal Governments for further improvements to the arterial road network.
“We will spend $836,000 on bridges including $700,000 to replace the timber Digneys Bridge Road with concrete.”
Some of the major road projects include rehabilitation of
- Old Port Campbell Road (1.97 km).............................................. $606,000
- Vite Vite Road (1.45 km)................................................................ $542,000
- Chocolyn Settlement Road (1.36 km).......................................... $423,000
- Castle Carey Road (1 km)............................................................. $375,000
- Tesbury Road (940 m)................................................................... $326,000
- Baynes Street, Terang (Shadforth Street to Lyons Street) ..... $274,000
- Williams Road (600 m)................................................................... $273,000
- Eastern Creek Road (540 m)........................................................ $193,000
There is also $450,000 for the Depot Road upgrade extension.
Kerb and channel will receive $376,000 and footpaths and bike paths a further $317,000.
You can read the full budget document here.