Murrindindi Shire Council adopted its Budget for 2019/20 at its June 26 ordinary meeting.

Mayor Cr Sandice McAulay said Council was thrilled to pass this Budget – the third in the life of this Council.

“We are proud that our community has had lots of opportunities to get involved with the creation of this budget,” Cr McAulay said.

“In late 2018, before we even put pen to paper, we asked the community for its ideas about what work we should prioritise.

“So we were thrilled to receive more than 50 submissions from community members.

“With that input, we then created our Draft Budget which went on public exhibition from May 1-31.

“We received a further six community submissions for additional items to be funded in the Budget and these were tabled for discussion by Council at its Special Meeting on June 12.

“We have done our best to ensure this budget reflects the sorts of items which are prioritised by our community.

“For example, $30,000 has been allocated to develop concept designs for the improvement of the streetscape in Kinglake West and Pheasant Creek, which is keenly sought by this community.

“And we are very pleased to be able to deliver this Budget while still keeping our rate rise consistent with the State Government’s 2.5 per cent Fair Go Rate Cap.

“We are also continuing to reduce our reliance on loan funds, with no new borrowings forecast for the second year in a row.

“Our plans for 2019/20 are promising. Key items and initiatives include the following:

• Council has again committed $230,000 to the Murrindindi Shire Council Grants and Contributions Program, following the great take-up by the community last year
• We have allocated funding to implement a range of strategies to better guide tourism and events, communications and recreation and open space management
• We have allocated $95,000 to our ‘Customer First’ Project to continue to modernise our internal systems and make them more responsive to our customers’ needs and expectations.
• $105,000 to a range of environmental initiatives including continuing our roadside weed and pest control program, significant revegetation works, and an environmental forum

“To ensure we are being strategic in finding solutions to waste management issues, we have allocated $2.6 million to further develop our landfill sites, our management of e-waste and to allow minor upgrades to our Resource Recovery Centres. And we are again funding the very popular free green waste disposal at our all of our RRCs,” Cr McAulay said.

“Ensuring the good condition of our infrastructure is always a top priority – for the community and Council.

“We have allocated $4.95 million to sealed and unsealed roads and related infrastructure. We also have allocated $328,000 on pathway improvements, including for disability access in urban areas in Yea. We have set aside $361,000 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.

“We think this is a great budget – it delivers equitable services across the Shire, is responsive to our community’s needs and is financially responsible.

“Of course, we can only create a budget that meets the needs of our community if we know what those needs are.

“A big thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts about the budget,” said Cr McAulay.

If you are keen to learn more about Council’s Budget for 2019/20, go to: www.murrindindi.vic.gov.au/budget