FOLLOWING weeks of community consultation, Greater Shepparton City Council adopted the adapted 2022/23 Budget at the June Council Meeting, with a motion for a zero percent rate rise supported.
37 submissions were received, resulting in over $330,000 added to the adopted budget to support several community projects and initiatives, including:
- Murchison-Toolamba Community Hub design – $80,000
- Katandra West Hall landscaping – $70,000
- Shepparton Search and Rescue – increased contribution from $16,500 to $88,000
- Tatura Park Playground – $50,000
- Toolamba Tennis Court redevelopment design – $40,000
- Shepparton Foodshare – contribution increased from $30,000 to $50,000
“We hope the addition of this funding helps these local community groups and service clubs continue the fantastic work they are currently doing in our region. This result truly shows the impact and importance of community feedback to the annual budget process,” said mayor Shane Sali.
The adopted budget includes a capital works program of $62.6M, which focusses on investing in existing assets, with 85 percent of the capital works program to be spent on upgrade and renewal projects that will provide opportunities for local businesses.
Following the development of the draft budget, Council saw a rise in the cost of processing co-mingled recyclables, resulting in an increase to the waste service charges in the adopted document. The service charge has increased from anywhere between 4.12 percent and 22.99 percent, with charges now ranging from $107.00 for 120L or 240L recyclables to $466.00 for 240L of waste/recyclables.
While this increase was not accounted for in the draft budget, the change was deemed necessary due to the increasing costs and the ability to meet recyclability needs across the region.
Mayor Sali said Council considered the changing economic climate as the region continues through pandemic recovery.
“The adopted zero percent rate rise is below the State Government’s Fair Go Rates System rate cap of 1.75 percent and was endorsed in recognition of the hardship many in the community are experiencing after Covid,” he said.
