Community feedback needed on key strategic documents

Published on 30 April 2021

Have your say may council plan.JPG

Moira Shire Council is seeking community, business and stakeholder feedback on a variety of key strategic documents – the draft Council Plan 2021-25, the draft Financial Plan 2021-2031, the draft 2021/22 Budget, and the draft Revenue and Rating Plan.

The draft Council Plan 2021-25 is integral in defining and navigating the strategic direction of Council while the draft Financial Plan 2021-2031 lays the foundations for a strong and stable economic framework.

The draft Revenue and Rating Plan provides a medium-term plan for how Council will generate income to deliver on the Council Plan, program and services and capital works commitments over a 4-year period.

The draft 2021/22 Budget aims to balance the many and often competing needs of the Moira community while recognising the hardships our community endured, and continues to endure, during the COVID19 pandemic.

 

Draft Council Plan 2021-25

Mayor Libro Mustica said the Council Plan included the strategic direction of Council and the objectives for achieving that strategic direction.

“This document also outlines our plans for reaching those objectives and how we will monitor the success of each objective,” he said.

“As part of the Council Plan we have developed a vision to work together to be a welcoming, healthy and sustainable Council that encourages diversity, business ingenuity and inclusion.

“The Council Plan is centred around five key pillars – a welcoming and inclusive place; a diverse and dynamic economy; a clean green environment; customer focused and responsive; and transparent and accountable governance.”

 

Draft Financial Plan 2021-2031

The ten year Financial Plan includes statements describing the financial resources required to give effect to the Council Plan plus other strategic plans of Council.

“The Financial Plan will give detailed information about the decisions and assumptions of Council that underpin the economic forecasts,” Cr Mustica said.

“This plan also documents statements describing any other resource requirements that Council considers appropriate or prescribed by the regulations.”

 

Draft Revenue and Rating Plan

Cr Mustica said this four year plan was a new requirement under the Local Government Act 2020.

“It incorporates how revenue will be generated through rates on properties; any fixed service charges that might be applied on services; revenue generated from use or allocation of Council assets; developer contributions; operational and capital grants from other levels of government; plus entrepreneurial, business, or collaborative activities established to deliver programs or services and generate income or reduce costs,” he said.

“This plan also includes transparent consideration of the policy objectives and social, economic, and environmental benefit delivered through subsidies, waivers, and discounts.”

 

Draft 2021/22 Budget

Cr Mustica said the draft budget was prepared in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic, social and health issues local communities have endured throughout this crisis.

“While the Victorian Government’s rate cap for 2021/22 has been set at 1.5%, we have made the decision to have a 0% rise for our own fees and charges, outside the statutory and local law charges,” he said.

“In addition, our venue hire will remain at the 2020 rate, with a 0% increase.”

Cr Mustica said rates generated 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.

“We have almost 30,000 residents spread across a large land area and this was a key consideration in developing council’s annual budget,” he said.

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

“For example, council maintains 4,000km network of sealed and unsealed local roads, 76 bridges and major culverts, 294km of kerb and channel, 160km of footpaths, 77 playgrounds, 43 public toilet blocks and public barbecues, plus 673 council buildings and facilities including sport and recreation areas, 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 investment program is comprehensively reviewed each year as we develop our budgets to reflect community demands, outside influences and natural disasters.”

 

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 for all draft documents must be received by 5pm Wednesday 2 June 2021 and will be reviewed by Council before adoption, with or without amendments.

 

Draft 2021/22 Budget submissions

To make a submission to the draft 2021/22 Budget, please use the statutory form on our website or call our Customer Experience team on 5871 9222 and a hardcopy can be mailed to you.

There will be a Councillor Drop In session – BY APPOINTMENT ONLY – for anyone wishing to chat informally with a councillor about the draft 2021/22 Budget, prior to making a submission.

This session will be held at the Cobram Civic Centre on Wednesday 19 May beginning at 3pm; phone our Customer Experience team to make your appointment.

A Committee of Council Meeting will meet Monday 7 June to hear any person who indicated in their written submission they would like to speak in support of their submission to the draft 2021/22 Budget.

Copies of each document are on display at our services centres and are available in the links below:

Have your say - draft Council Plan 2021-25

Have your say - draft Financial Plan 2021-31

Have your say - draft Revenue and Rating Plan

Have your say - 2021/2022 Budget