Murrindindi Council endorsed the draft 2020/21 Budget for public exhibition at its Special Meeting on Wednesday last week (May 6).

The meeting was held online and live-streamed via Council’s Facebook page, following the passage of new legislation allowing online council meetings to occur during COVID-19 restrictions.

Murrindindi Shire Council Mayor Cr Leigh Dunscombe said the draft Budget provides a range of new measures to help our community recover from the pandemic over the next year.

“We understand that many individuals and businesses in our community are experiencing hardship due to the Coronavirus pandemic,” Cr Dunscombe said.

“One of the goals of this draft budget is to help our community recover from the crisis.

“The Draft Budget proposes a 0 per cent property rate rise for the coming financial year – even though the Victorian Government has set the cap on rate increases at 2 per cent.

“We just don’t think we can reasonably seek increased revenue from property rates this year.

“But while we are committed to a freeze on those costs we control, that doesn’t mean there will be no changes on your rates bill, as the rates bill includes a range of charges Council collects on behalf of the Victorian Government.

“You will still see changes resulting from recent property valuations (as set by the Victorian Government as at January 1, 2020). There will also be changes to waste and recycling charges, which are a cost-recovery charge.

“Helpfully, we understand the Victorian Government will not increase the Fire Services Levy next financial year, and has also deferred its planned Landfill Levy increase until January 1, 2021.

“Council is also proposing to remove the 25 per cent premium differential rate paid by commercial and industrial property owners for 2020-21, to help support business recovery.

“’The Draft Budget also includes a substantial relief and recovery package, which is funded by a draw-down of $500,000 remaining from the 2009 bushfire government assistance funds, provided by the State Government to Council to support its ongoing operations.

“These funds are currently held in reserve, but under current circumstances we think it appropriate to make them available for initiatives to support community and business recovery in our Shire,” Cr Dunscombe said.

“Given the adjustments we are proposing in the Draft Budget, there will now be a slight budget deficit next financial year.

“We believe this is a reasonable trade-off, if it helps to achieve the goal of assisting our Shire’s recovery.

“Importantly, while the measures we are proposing will help support local suppliers, contractors and the community to recover from the pandemic, this Draft Budget will allow us to keep delivering our normal services too.

“It will help us to implement a range of new initiatives to help Council meet the goals we set at the beginning of our term to ensure the continued economic prosperity of our Shire.

“These include
• an increased Capital Works Program delivering a range of important projects across the Shire, including
• $3.86 million on roads and paths including reseals, re-sheeting, footpath renewals and improvements to unsealed roads
• $175,000 to improve safety at the Kinglake West Primary School crossing and surrounds
• $479,000 on Marysville Swimming Pool renewal works
• $160,000 on Kinglake Public Toilet Renovation (Aitken Crescent)
• $350,000 on a new public toilet in Kinglake Memorial Reserve
• $45,000 on solar hot water showers for male and female amenity blocks at Eildon and Marysville swimming pools
• $40,000 to replace bi fold doors at Yea Recreation Reserve Clubrooms
• $189,000 to improve connectivity to Kellock Lodge (William St to Johnston St , with connection to Leckie Park)
• $45,000 for additional shade sails at the Yea Swimming Pool
• $100,000 for the extension of the footpath in Falls Rd, Marysville (Stage 1 – Gallipoli Park to Goulds Terrace)
• $50,000 for bridge renewal at the entrance to the Yea Caravan Park
• free public entry to our Swimming Pools in Alexandra, Eildon, Marysville and Yea.
• a one year trial of late-night pool openings on Fridays and Saturdays at our busiest Swimming Pools in Alexandra and Yea
• the addition of an arborist to our staff and a $100,000 increase to funding for tree works
• funding to implement the recently adopted Murrindindi Shire Tourism and Events Strategy

“We’re very pleased to be able to commit to a Draft Budget which delivers important works and services next financial year, while also providing some relief for ratepayers to assist recovery from the pandemic.

“Our aim is to deliver services equitably across the Shire and respond to the needs of our community as they change and evolve.

“This draft budget is about making sure all available funds are going to the areas where they will have the most impact,” Cr Dunscombe said.

The Draft Budget will be available for viewing on the website at murrindindi.vic.gov.au/publiccomment until June 3.

If you would like to make a submission to Council about the Draft Budget, you must do so in writing by no later than 1 pm on June 3. Submissions can be sent via email to governance@murrindindi.vic.gov.au, or posted to Manager Business Services, Murrindindi Shire Council, PO Box 138, Alexandra, Vic., 3714.

People making submissions will have an opportunity to address Council at a Special Meeting of Council to be held at 6 pm on June 10.

Further details about meeting arrangements (to accommodate any COVID-19 restrictions) will be available closer to the time on Council’s website.

Those who have made submissions will also be contacted directly in advance of the meeting date.