Benalla Rural City passed its Budget for 2020/2021 on Wednesday and while much of it is positive, a 1.94 per cent rate rise will leave a sour taste in the mouth of property owners.
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However, it is worth noting that figure is an average and may vary on the type and size of property.
At the Ordinary meeting of Council on Wednesday, July 29, Benalla Rural City chief executive officer Dom Testoni presented the budget to councillors.
“We’ve always said that this year would be particularly tough, but with COVID-19 it has actually challenged most communities and council itself,” Mr Testoni said.
“We are still yet to realise the full impact on council, obviously we're about four months into it now and nobody really knows when it is going to end.
“But pleasingly we have tried to almost set (that) aside and keep moving forward because the community is developing.
“I think there are some positive stories coming out of what we are doing and what the council has commenced a number of years ago.
“I do congratulate the community and council for the direction we are heading.
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“Some of the key capital projects that we will be delivering this year include the new transfer station down at the landfill.
“That should be constructed by the end of the current calendar year. That's about a $900,000 bill.
“Some road upgrades and significant footbath upgrades as well, about $150,000 of (those) to help with accessibility throughout town.
“We will be taking delivery of new road maintenance equipment, it's called a Jetpatcher and we should take delivery in the back end of September.
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“So it's been a log time in the waiting, but well worth the wait.
“Some of the other work has been well publicised, like the work on the visitor information centre and museum.
“That's about a $1.6 million - $1.8 million bill by the time we've (added) some additional work into that project.
“(we're) looking to commence that in about January to February next year, and a completion date around the backend of 2021...
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“(Another is) the Arundel st oval sports precinct, there has been some significant contributions from the user group down there, Junior AFL, cricket, the A&P society and obviously council.
“So that project will be under way and will hopefully be completed by about Christmas and that will be a significant new facility that will be enjoyed by the users down there.”
Mr Testoni then pointed to a number of potential funding opportunities coming up listed in the meeting agenda which read:
Operating grants are forecast to be $6.620 million in 2020/21 - however, the Victorian Grants Commission has advised that half of the aggregate Financial Assistance Grant allocations for 2020/21 will be ‘brought forward’ and paid in the current financial year. This early payment will increase revenue in 2019/20 by $2.2 million and decrease revenue in 2020/21 by $2.2 million.
In addition there are several government operating and capital grants that have been announced, but funding agreements have not been signed. Once confirmed the grants below and associated initiatives and projects will be considered in the first quarter 2020/21 Budget review:
● Building Works Package - Benalla $2,000,000
● Working for Victoria $1,565,000
● Australian Government Drought Funding $1,000,000
● Local Road and Community Infrastructure $975,000
● Rural Councils ICT Infrastructure Support Program $100,000
Council is also setting up a community fund of $335,000 for community groups to apply to for a range of project up to a value of $20,000.
The intention is to get those grants out by mid-September.
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● The budget is a complex and long document and this summary cannot cover everything, however it can be downloaded from this link.
● You can also view last week's council meeting by searching for the Benalla Rural City Council channel on Youtube.
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