Community
30 June, 2023
‘Responsible’ budget maintains services
A $1.2 MILLION investment in the Brierly Precinct, an extended pool season and an upgraded hockey pitch were some of the welcome inclusions in Warrnambool City Council’s 2023-24 budget.
The budget, which was adopted by councillors earlier this week, includes $9 million of new allocations to council’s asset renewal program and a $1 million upgrade of the hockey pitch at the Albert Park sports precinct.
The $1.2 million allocated for the Brierly Precinct will be spent on upgrading the eastern oval including improved playing surfaces, two soccer pitches, drainage, irrigation, lighting and fencing.
Funds also cover preliminary design and costings for a new accessible sports pavilion as well as research into the need for a potential community hub.
Council’s newly adopted budget includes a rate increase of 2.95 per cent, a capital works program of $27.2 million and a $250 rate rebate for eligible ratepayers.
Mayor Debbie Arnott said it was a responsible budget that recognised cost of living pressures and sought to look after council’s existing assets while ensuring the ongoing delivery of much-needed council programs and services.
“We want to ensure we can maintain or renew the assets we have and we’ve made a new allocation of $9 million to renew or maintain our existing assets including roads, drainage and buildings,” she said.
“While the Victorian Government rate capping would have allowed a rate increase of 3.5 per cent, we’ve prepared a budget that recognises the cost of living and includes a rate increase that is well below inflation.”
Hardship provisions have been bolstered for eligible ratepayers and include an increase in the rates rebate of 25 per cent to $250 for eligible ratepayers.
“We hope this is a significant help for those ratepayers who might be doing it tough and would more than offset the average residential rates increase of $65.75,” Cr Arnott said.
“Where possible we have made only minimal changes to our fees and charges. For example there are no change to dog and cat registration fees.
“During the budget consultation phase we received a compelling submission from the Warrnambool Swim Club seeking an extension to the outdoor pool season so its members could train for regional and national competitions.
“We took that on board and have extended the pool season which we believe will be of benefit to the wider community in addition to swim club members.”
The capital works component of the budget is $26.7 million which includes $1.2 million of additional investment in the Brierly Precinct; $600,000 on council’s CBD footpaths and carparks program and $500,000 for a new West Warrnambool Neighbourhood House building.
Completion of the Japan Street major drainage upgrade project; and year two of the joint “Coastal Connect” shared IT enterprise system with Corangamite and Moyne shires also featured in the budget allocations.
“We still have a number of important projects underway such as the McGennan amenities block to be finished by the end of October,” Cr Arnott said.
“When it comes to larger single capital works projects we’re really in an investigation stage, in particular with a view to the long-term future of the Warrnambool Art Gallery and AquaZone.”
No new borrowings have been budgeted in 2023-2024 and current debt levels remain within the Victorian Auditor-General’s low risk range.
