The $92.9 million budget was first released in May for community feedback and allowed submissions to be accepted until June 1.
The budget includes $27.4 million in funding for the Capital Works Program, which covers the money towards roads and bridges as well as more than 80 of the services and programs provided across the local government area.
Council said that although there was a $4.93 million deficit, due to state government advice, it was less than the $5.78 million that was initially forecast.
“We know that a deficit of this size is not sustainable and we’re developing a plan to ensure we get back to a break-even position over the next four years,” Mayor Rob Amos said.
Key areas of expenditure in the Capital Works Program include:
• $10.72 million on roads and bridges (including the Echuca Aerodrome upgrade);
• $4.30 million on public buildings;
• $3.2 million for new plant for roads, parks and gardens as well as $3.37 million to replace existing plant and equipment;
• $1.92 million on stormwater and flood control; and
• $1.24 million on recreation and open space.
Cr Amos said that the spending supported the need to stimulate the economy after years of COVID, and the impact of the 2022 floods.
“We have an additional 15.9 hectares of parks and gardens that require maintaining, alongside improvement to our amenities such as toilet blocks, as well as $1.66 million on footpaths and cycleways and $4.30 million on public buildings,” he said.
“Once again, we are also offering free entry to all outdoor pools for the summer season, which is great news for the Campaspe community.”
On with the job: Campaspe Shire Mayor Rob Amos said council was working to ensure the budget would be back to a break-even position over the next four years.
Photo by
Shannon Colee
In adopting the budget a number of amendments were made, including:
• Updating the rates table after receiving certification from the Victorian Valuer-General for the 2023 general property valuation.
• Updated the amount budgeted for Financial Assistance Grants to reflect advice received from the Department of Government Services, increasing the amount budgeted by $852,800.
• Updating the document to include the 2022-23 budget comparatives, correct minor errors to performance indicators and update the location of fees and charges in various tables and statements.
• Updating the statutory fees and charges to reflect the state government gazetted fee unit and penalty fee unit.
Council also agreed to change the current farm land rate differential of 90 per cent, as a one-off change, to 80 per cent for the 2023-24 budget year.
“We believe the use of differential rates is the most equitable way to charge ratepayers, and in all cases, the rate in the dollar for each group of differentials has reduced compared to the 2022-23 financial year,” Cr Amos said.
“The decision to revise the farm land rate differential was made to more evenly spread the rates levied across all property types.”
During the meeting, Deputy Mayor Colleen Gates said she would like council to better explain to ratepayers how differential rates worked and what the changes implemented this year would have.
Council received five submissions to the draft budget during the month of May, with three residents speaking at a submission hearing held on Tuesday, June 6.
“We want to thank those residents who took time to provide a submission and let the community know that all submitters will now be provided with a written response to the issue raised in their submission,” Mayor Amos said.
Additionally, Campaspe Shire endorsed the allocation funds for the Rochester Recreation Reserve (Moon Oval) lighting project committing up to $306,000.
It also committed $180,000 for the Toolleen Recreation Reserve’s netball courts upgrade.
The 2023-24 budget document is available on the Campaspe Shire website or to view in person at any of council’s Customer Service Centres.