Murrindindi Council wants to increase rates by 2.5 per cent, the absolute maximum allowable under the State Government’s Fair Go Rates System.

The rates increase is part of the 2019-20 draft budgetdue to be presented at the Council meeting at Alexandra on June 26.

The Council plans on a slight budget surplus, and no new debt.

Councillors propose to limit increases to fees and charges that it controls, to no more than 2 per cent.

The draft Budget identifies that Council will spend $43.86 million to deliver services and improve infrastructure. This includes a $8.19 million Capital Works Program. Council’s cash flows will remain strong with a projected cash increase of $2 million over the year.

Some planned Council spending includes:
• $328,000 on pathway improvements, including $57,500 towards improvements to disability access in urban areas of Yea
• $358,000 allocated for recreational facilities, including $216,000 allocated for female friendly change facilities at the Yea Recreation Reserve and $22,000 for perimeter fencing at the Kinglake Memorial Reserve
• $323,000 for works on Council owned buildings and facilities including $70,000 to upgrade the kitchen and restore external columns at the Alexandra Shire Hall,
$128,000 for works at the Yea Saleyards and $50,000 for improved floor covering for a range of public toilets
• $30,000 to develop a concept design for the Kinglake West-Pheasant Creek
streetscape
• $30,000 for RV Friendly Town preliminary works (including signage and line marking for long vehicles).

Other initiatives funded in the draft Budget include:
• $230,000 to continue the Grants and Contributions Program
• $247,000 of external grant funding to advance local community planning trials across
the Shire
• $250,000 to implement strategies that have been developed to better plan for service
delivery and improve outcomes for the community. These strategies include:
o Tourism and Events Strategy
o Communications Strategy
o Recreation and Open Space Strategy
• $105,000 for environmental initiatives including continuing the roadside weed and pest
control program, significant revegetation works, and an environmental forum to further
engage the community in solutions to the environmental issues.
• $95,000 to continue the ‘Customer First’ project.