by Emma Ballingall
A responsible draft budget containing several contentious items was endorsed by Baw Baw Shire councillors last week.
However, in an unprecedented move, one councillor voted against releasing the suite of draft papers for public consultation. Another voiced strong opposition for its lack of innovation and urged "significant change."
Recommending a 2.75 per cent rate increase, councillors urged community members to review the draft budget and make their feelings known in the next two weeks.
The rate rise is in line with the state government's rate cap.

A win for ratepayers is waste charges being reduced by an average of 4