By JESSE GRAHAM
Budget proposes steady rise over four years
RATES will rise consistently over the coming four years in the Yarra Ranges, according to the recently-released draft budget. However, one councillor has said that more can be done to cut increases.
The Yarra Ranges Council released its draft budget for the coming financial year, a draft update to the Council Plan 2013/17 and its Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) 2014/15 to 2023/24 last week.
At the special meeting, held on Tuesday 6 May, the drafts were unanimously accepted by councillors, and a community feedback period was opened for the documents until 5 June.
Over the coming financial year, rates are set to rise by 4.8 per cent – the same increase as in the 2013/14 year.
In the budget papers, the rate increases for each year up until 2017/18 are projected to also be 4.8 per cent.
Councillors Jim Child and Andy Witlox both praised the draft documents at the council meeting, and emphasised the importance of the community providing feedback on the documents before they are officially adopted.
While he said the rate rises in the coming year were relatively low, Cr Witlox said that more could be done to reduce pressure on rates, such as continuing to look at reducing costs in council.
“I think this council is actively looking at our budget and trying to keep down rates,” he said.
“I think 4.8 per cent is better than most councils, but I still think we can do better.”
“I think we’ll keep going with our process to keep down pressures on rates and looking at efficiencies in the organisation – my goal would be 3.8 per cent as a rating strategy.
In 2014/15, around $120,416,000 will be raised from rates alone – up from $114,296,000 in the 2013/14 year.
According to the draft budget, 2.3 per cent of the rate increase will go towards maintaining services and meeting costs from external influences – including reduction in Victorian Grants Commission allocations.
The other 2.5 per cent will go towards the council’s $33.3 million capital works program, which will see a number of large-scale projects take place in the municipality.
In the Yarra Valley, the council’s Capital Works program will address sporting projects such as a $600,000 upgrade of the Yarra Glen Recreation Reserve oval, which includes a $50,000 contribution from sports clubs, while Powelltown and Warburton’s sports fields will receive a $130,000 lighting upgrade, which includes contributions of $25,000 from each of the clubs.
Seville Recreation Reserve will have a $380,000 playground and picnic area developed, with the help of a Victorian Government contribution, while drainage along the Warburton Highway will receive $130,000 in works in Launching Place.
In the Dandenong Ranges, sporting groups will benefit from the Capital Works program, with a $1 million development to Monbulk’s Regional Soccer Centre listed on the budget – subject to funding from State and Federal governments.
A $125,000 sports field lighting upgrade for Upwey is also listed, along with a $250,000 improvement to Belgrave South Recreation Reserve’s oval and a $125,000 lighting upgrade for Silvan Oval – all of these include $25,000 in sporting club contributions.
Other upgrades include $104,000 for improvements to the Tecoma township area and $56,000 for implementation of the Birdsland Reserve Management Plan and park improvements.
A number of other projects are included in the program, including extensive footpath and road works around the shire.
Yarra Ranges mayor Fiona McAllister said that a number of cost savings were recorded in this year’s budget, due to a $650,000 reduction in salaries and wages, reductions in general expenditure to the tune of $1.7 million and re-tendering the waste contract, saving $1.5 million.
However, a council spokesperson confirmed that re-tendering the waste contract was not regarding the proposed closure of Healesville’s Waste Transfer Station and a reduction of hours at Wesburn’s facility, but was in regards to kerbside collection.
Cr McAllister said that all of the documents released in last week’s meeting were significant for the running of council, and urged residents and community groups to read them and provide feedback.
“These documents will steer us for the next 12 months and need to reflect community views,” she said.
She said that residents’ submissions can be as long as they wish them to be or could be as small as a single sentence, providing feedback.
“A submission can be as simple as a couple of lines telling us your thoughts on these documents,” Cr McAllister said.
Public submissions on the draft documents are due by 5pm on 5 June, and the council will consider all submissions at a committee meeting on 10 June.
Residents may be able to speak on their submission at the meeting, but will need to specify this in their submission.
The draft 2014/15 budget, proposed Council Plan and Long-Term Financial Plan can be viewed at www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au or at the council’s Community Link buildings.
To make a submission, follow the prompts on the council’s website or write to P.O. Box 105, Lilydale, 3140.
