Strathbogie Shire Council adopted its 2019-20 Budget and revised Council Plan at a Special Council Meeting on Tuesday 25th June.
Prior to the Special Meeting to adopt the Council Plan and Budget, Council moved to suspend standing orders and hear from concerned residents and ratepayers following the release of the VAGO Audit Report into Fraud and Corruption Controls tabled in Victorian Parliament last Thursday. There will be a separate Council statement in relation to follow.
The budget includes the delivery of a $14 million Capital Works Program, with a whole host of exciting infrastructure projects on the way.
The Capital Works Program includes $7 million on the road network, with $3.3 million to upgrade Mullers, Upton and Longwood-Ruffy Roads, which will be assisted by funding of $2.18 million from the Victorian Government’s Fixing Country Roads Program.
Council was thrilled to receive funding from the Fixing Country Roads Program and looks forward to enhancing the quality of these roads for greater connectivity and safety.
The following capital works projects will also be delivered:
- Zero to One Roads Program- $400,000
- Pedestrian Bridges- $250,000
- Drainage- $907,000
- Footpaths- $274,000
- Aquatic Facilities- $382,000
- Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces- $1.9 million
- Nagambie Boardwalk Extension- $702,000 over two years ($452,000 external funding)
Strathbogie Shire Mayor Cr Amanda McClaren said Council will be implementing a 2.25 percent increase in the average rate for 2019-20.
“This increase is below the State Government cap of 2.5 percent under the ‘Fair Go Rates’ legislation,” Mayor McClaren explained.
“The allows Council to continue to deliver existing service levels, funding of a number of significant new initiatives and the ongoing allocation of sufficient funds to continue the strategic renewal of infrastructure across the shire.”
Council will continue to levy a municipal charge, but this will be reduced from $266 to $133, which aims to provide greater equity for ratepayers.
