Rates rise passed

By Kath Gannaway
The increase follows an equivalent increase last year.
Mayor Peter Beales announced $17.8 million for capital works across the municipality – but said it was a balancing act which also had to take into account future upkeep of bushfire funded infrastructure.
‘It is important council continues to look at operational savings during the next 12 months and continues to meet community expectations for service delivery,’ he said.
‘We are facing some difficult decisions when it comes to supporting major projects under the bushfire recovery banner are not externally funded.
‘We are also faced with increasing recurrent costs, so we are mindful of what we can take on as an organisation in the short-term without creating longer term challenges in balancing budgets.’ Mr Beales described the budget process as prudent and rigorous and said it set the framework for longer term financial sustainability.
He said the six per cent increase aimed to maintain the capital works program set by council as well as services.