Council has released for community feedback the Draft Budget 2024-25.
Key drivers for the Budget are:
- to maintain important community services;
- to fund renewal of infrastructure and community assets, ensuing ongoing suitability for use;
- focus on opportunities for our community to rive in partnership with others levels of government;
- to consolidate a financial position that ensures ongoing financial viability;
- to enable delivery of capital projects that will enhance the community's outcomes around learning, commerce and recreation; and,
- to seed fund key strategic priorities for Council's long-term aspirations for the community.
Our proposed $27.9 million capital works program comprises $10.4 million of existing and ongoing projects and $17.5 million of new project allocations, including:
- $9 million of new budget allocations to Council’s asset renewal program, which sees ongoing renewal of Council’s roads, bridges, footpaths, and buildings,
- A $2.1 million upgrade of the Matron Swinton Childcare Centre, which will increase capacity for the provision of up to 33 additional childcare spaces, and a new community hub multipurpose room suitable for Maternal Child Health consultations.
- $1.5 million towards the redevelopment of recreation facilities at Walter Oval,
- $0.7 million to upgrade the flooring at the Val Bertrand Netball Stadium,
- $0.6 million on Council’s CBD footpaths and Car Parks program,
- $0.35 million on upgrading irrigation at Friendly Society’s Park, and
- A detailed business case for the future proposed aquatic facility redevelopment
- Year three of the joint “Coastal Connect” information technology shared services partnership with Corangamite and Moyne shires.
Council will continue to deliver current services and recently re-committed to providing home support services including aged aged and disability care and this is reflected in the draft budget.
Council proposes to increase rates by an average of 2.75%, in line with the Victorian Government’s rate cap, and 0.20% lower than the 2023-24 rise.
This equates to an average of 88 cents per week increase for property owners with homes valued between $500,000 and $1 million. For residents with homes valued under $500,000 the increase will be less than 50 cents a week.
The waste management charge that covers the four-bin kerbside collection service has been cut from $427 to $417.
You also speak in support of your submission to Council at a Hearings Meeting on May 20, 5.45pm at the Civic Centre, 25 Liebig Street.
If you wish to speak at the Hearings Meeting you must state this in your submission.
To have your say, read the Draft Budget and respond via the survey below.
Alternatively, you can write to:
The Chief Executive Officer
Warrnambool City Council
PO Box 198
Warrnambool VIC 3280