Council is pleased to advise that it adopted its $46.4 million Budget for 2020/21 at its 24 June meeting.
Council’s Mayor Leigh Dunscombe said the Budget for the coming financial year represents a great outcome for Council and the community, given the need to deal with impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic head-on.
‘The 2020/21 Budget balances the need to put in place a range of new measures to help our community recover from the effects of the pandemic, while also continuing, and in some cases, expanding the usual services Council’s provides to the community’, said Cr Dunscombe.
‘We have included a number of initiatives in this Budget to try to make things a little easier for ratepayers, including the decision not to increase rates in the 2020/21 financial year.
‘Of course, there still might be changes to your rates bill, as it includes charges Council collects on behalf of the Victorian Government, or which result from changed property valuations or cost-recovery items such waste and recycling charges. But we are determined not to seek an increase to our revenue from ratepayers in the coming year.
‘We have also removed the 25% premium differential rate paid by commercial and industrial property owners for 2020/2021, to help support business recovery’ added Cr Dunscombe.
‘The Budget also includes a $500,000 relief and recovery package for the community and businesses in our Shire. The package is funded by a draw-down from the 2009 bushfire State government assistance funds, provided to support Council’s ongoing operations. These funds are currently held in reserve, but we believe there couldn’t be a better time to use this money for initiatives to support community and business recovery in our Shire,’ added Cr Dunscombe.
‘In addition to these measures to assist the community to bounce back from the effects of the pandemic, the Budget will also fund a range of new and improved services and capital investment in our Shire. Highlights include:
New initiatives totalling over $1.3 million, including
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
An expanded capital works budget of almost $11.7 million capital works program
$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 Street to Johnston Street, 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 Road, Marysville (Stage 1 – Gallipoli Park to Goulds Terrace)
$50,000 for bridge renewal at the entrance to the Yea Caravan Park
‘I’d like to thank those in the community who made submissions to Council about ideas for inclusion in the Budget back in September last year, and also to those who made submissions about the draft Budget earlier this year. These submissions from the community are very helpful in letting us know if we are on track with our budget planning’, said Cr Dunscombe.
‘Finally, I’d like to add that this is the last budget that will be set by the current Council, as our four-year term comes to end in October this year when the local government election is held.
‘While it has been challenging to achieve a Budget that appropriately balances the competing needs we see in our community at this time, I am both confident and proud of the work and intention behind this Budget. The Budget will play a part in assisting ongoing community recovery and help Council to deliver its services effectively, efficiently and equitably across our great Shire’, added Cr Dunscombe.
Budget 2020/21 is available for viewing on our website at
