Drop in to share feedback on Moira’s 2018-2019 Budget and SRP

Published on 16 April 2018

Moira Shire Council is seeking community, business and stakeholder feedback following the release of its draft 2018-2019 Budget and 2018-22 Strategic Resource Plan (SRP).

Mayor Libro Mustica said both the draft 2018-19 Budget and the SRP aim to balance the many and often competing needs of the Moira community and the challenges of a relatively small population dispersed across a large geographic area.

"The Budget details what we intend to deliver over the next 12 months, the SRP provides an outlook for the next four years – they should be considered together," Cr Mustica said.

"The draft budget will see Council continue to deliver more than 100 services throughout the shire along with the largest ever capital works program.

Council did not propose new borrowings in the current 2018/19 year.

"Total rate revenue will increase by 2.25% in line with the Victorian Government rate cap and council-set fees and charges will increase by 3%," Cr Mustica said.

"There will be a decrease in the environmental levy and recycling bin collection charges and an increase in kerbside general waste and organic bin collection charges, but overall service charges will only increase by 2.25% in line with rate capping.

"These changes match the proposals in our draft Rating and Service Charges Strategy, which is also currently out for community feedback."

Proposed Capital Works

"We are committing council to delivering its largest ever capital works program with a total of $21.107 million of capital works over the next 12 months, almost 50% bigger than the capital works program for the current financial year," Cr Mustica said.

Projects include –

• $5 million to maintain and improve our 4,000km local road network particularly the widening of Naring Road and improvements to Humberstone Street, Nathalia.

• Yarrawonga will see development of the Lake Mulwala foreshore ($5.4 million), design of the Multisport Stadium ($120,000) and Library ($100,000) and a new boat ramp ($740,000);

• Implementation of the Visitor Services Strategy beginning with a mobile visitor services van and the development of a piazza in the area surrounding the existing Cobram Visitor Information Centre ($1.05 million);

• $2 million to upgrade and expand courts, pitches, ovals, access, lighting and buildings at community recreation reserves including the Apex park soccer pavilion, lighting at Cobram, Nathalia, Numurkah and Yarrawonga sports facilities and scoping new change rooms at Tungamah.

Strategic Resource Plan

"Our draft SRP proposes $71.2 million of capital works over the next four year period to 2022," Cr Mustica said.

"The SRP identifies priority investment areas including almost $20 million of new and upgraded infrastructure and a sustained program of investment in drainage and flood mitigation works as well as building and land improvements.

"The SRP recognises we are committed to a number of significant projects across the shire but they are not ready for delivery in the current year and may also require grant funding.

"A new Yarrawonga Library and multisport stadium plus flood mitigation works for Numurkah are examples of projects included in the four year plan."

Drop in and have your say in feedback sessions

To encourage feedback from all ages and interests, Councillors will host drop-in sessions across the shire commencing 1 May.

"We invite you to consider the draft 2018/2019 Budget and the SRP and then come in and chat with us about the priorities – as individuals and in small groups," Cr Mustica said.

"The sessions are not formal meetings, they are your chance to discuss the draft Budget with Councillors and focus your ideas.

"We want to listen and learn more about what matters to members of our community before we finalise the 2018-2019 Budget and the SRP."

Feedback can be provided online, by mail, at our Cobram Service Centre, Visitor Information Centres or agencies throughout the shire; all submissions must be received by 5pm Thursday 24 May 2018.

A special council meeting will meet on Wednesday 30 May to hear any person who indicated in their written submission that they would like to speak in support of their submission on the draft 2018/19 Budget.

"Council will study the submissions before considering a recommendation to adopt the draft 2018/19 Budget and SRP, with or without amendments, at a special council meeting to be held on Wednesday 13 June," Cr Mustica said.