Budget calling for community feedback

Published on 24 April 2020

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Moira Shire Council is seeking community, business and stakeholder feedback following the release of its draft 2020/21 Budget and four-year Strategic Resource Plan (SRP). 

Mayor Libro Mustica said the draft budget and SRP was prepared prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and as such did not address the many and varied questions and concerns communities across the shire had in relation to this serious issue. 

Cr Mustica said the draft budget aimed to balance the many and often competing needs of the Moira community". 

"Now we are asking the community to tell us whether we have got the balance right," he said. 

"We have almost 30,000 residents spread across a large land area and this was a key consideration in developing council's annual budget and SRP. 

"We provide the same or similar services in multiple locations so we have a large number of assets to maintain. 

"For example, council maintains 28 recreation reserves, showgrounds and swimming pools, more than 150 parks, gardens, playgrounds and public toilets, four libraries, a mobile library service and nine waste transfer stations. 

“It is vital, especially during times of crisis, Council provides a solid framework from which our communities will not only survive, but be able to rebuild quickly and efficiently and this budget will provide that framework. 

“To fund the maintenance, renewal and upgrade of these assets our capital works are delivered across a multi-year cycle. 

“This multi-year investment program is comprehensively reviewed each year as we develop our budgets and the four-year Strategic Resource Plan to reflect community demands, outside influences and natural disasters.” 

Cr Mustica said the Victorian Government’s rate cap for 2020/21 had been set at 2%. 

“Rates generate around 50% of council’s revenue with state and federal grants making up the majority of the balance, with many of those grants linked to specific services or projects,” he 

“Council-set fees and charges have increased by 2% however some charges have increased by slightly more to recover the increase in the cost of delivering the service.” 

Written submissions deadline 

All submissions must be written and can be submitted online www.moira.vic.gov.au, via email info@moira.vic.gov.au or by mail PO Box 578 Cobram 3643. 

Written submissions must be received by 5pm Wednesday 27 May 2020 and will be reviewed by Council before adopting the draft 2020/21 Budget and Strategic Resource Plan, with or without amendments. 

A Committee of Council Meeting will meet Wednesday 3 June to hear any person who indicated in their written submissions that they would like to speak in support of their submission on the draft 2020/21 Budget. 

Copies of the budget are on display at our services centres and are available on our website. 

 

 

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