Major projects in budget

Major infrastructure projects are the backbone of a draft budget released by Baw Baw Shire last week, but the multi-million dollar projects will be dependent on external funding.
A $41.3 million capital works program is outlined in the budget including council's $6.5 million commitment to a $30 million new civic precinct including a library and cultural centre.
Council also is committing $4 million to a second basketball stadium at Warragul Leisure Centre and the $2.1 million to the Bellbird Park multi-use pavilion, both of which have already been co-funded by the state government.
A $1.5 million commitment to the $6.5 million Rokeby Noojee Trail project is included in the capital works list, provided council receives state or federal funds.
Council will invest $2 million in its roads reconstruction program, which is part of an overall $10.9 million budget for road works..
The draft budget presents a 1.75 per cent rate rise, in line with the state government imposed rate cap.
But ratepayers will be slugged with a 12 per cent increase in waste charges, with residential waste collection increasing to $450 a year.
Total revenue from rates and charges will be $69.1 million including $57.1 million from rates, $11 million from waste charges and $1 million in supplementary rate valuations.
The draft budget presents an accounting surplus of $24.7 million, including $7.3 million of non-cash income but excludes the $41.3 million capital works program an $19.6 million non-cash depreciation expenses.
"This is considered a prudent financial measure to ensure council is only expending funds that have or are known to be received," the budget report said.
While staff costs will decrease in the next financial year, council is making a focussed effort to increase staff numbers in key areas including planning and compliance.
Council will employ an additional 16.6 full time equivalent staff next year, of which 9.2 positions will have an ongoing cost to council, similar to the 9.85 extra staff employed in 2021/22.
Council proposes to continue with its differential rating strategy, increasing the farm rate subsidy from 10 to 20 per cent but increasing the surcharge on commercial and industrial properties from 20 per cent to 30 per cent. Vacant land will continue to be charged at an 80 per cent surcharge.
A report accompanying the financial papers states the draft budget "focuses on delivering quality services to the community through a combination of existing programs, new initiatives and capital works."

Officers said a key issue for council in setting its budget was the rate of residential growth in the shire and the impact of growth on services now and into the future.
"Council's major challenges are to meet the needs of the growing population of the shire, continuing to renew critical infrastructure, and improve council's overall financial
proposition, within the constraints of the rate cap," the report said.
Mayor Michael Leaney said preparation of the draft budget had been a fine balancing act amidst uniquely challenging conditions.
"Despite the uncertainty around us, it provides a sensible and stable platform from which we can build and deliver on behalf of our community," he said.
Cr Leaney said in addition to the bricks and mortar projects, there was increased investment in new initiatives aimed at enhancing key council services, including planning.
He said like all councils, the budget relied on rates and fees as its key source of funding.
"What is not commonly understood is that rates and fees alone are insufficient to fund all the services and infrastructure that council is required to deliver," he said.
Cr Danny Goss said all budgets were a balancing act and councillors had to make tough decisions. "One dollar spent here is one dollar that can't be spent elsewhere."
He said it was a conservative budget that was forward thinking and met ratepayer demand.
Cr Goss said inflation would soon reach four per cent yet council's were stuck with a 1.75 per cent rate cap imposed by the state government.
"Choices will need to be made by this council between capital and renewal. We simply can't afford the infrastructure and services that are required for a growing community.
"Growth is causing us enormous issues. We do not make money out of these new subdivisions...growth does not equate to money making for councils," he said.