yarra ranges budget endorsed for 13/14

report from the roundtable – 25 jun

At this week’s council meeting we had to consider the adoption of the budget for 2013/14.  The budget was adopted unanimously by council (note Cr Cox and McAllister were absent).

In speaking in consideration of the motion I talked about some councillors who were elected on a platform of no rate or low rate rises. This budget, at a rate increase of 4.8%, has not been able to realise that outcome nor the same level of rate rise as last year’s budget of 4.2%.

However I believe that is recognition by councillors of significant cost pressures we are facing and the continued cost shifting by state government to local government.

As part of our budget deliberations we still need to take into account the capping of many of our fees and charges by state government meaning that we can’t recover the cost for the services we provide. We continue to see an erosion of funding for specific purpose grants, so the money received doesn’t keep pace with the cost to provide the service, libraries and school crossing supervisors are two examples that spring to mind.

All of this is also framed by being the collection agent for the Landfill Levy which we still don’t see applied to local initiatives to reduce waste and work toward zero waste goals. And this time round we will also be the collection agent for the Fire Services Levy and I have no doubt we will be in the firing line over this even though it is a state government levy and they should be the ones collecting it.

I’m pleased to report that Lyster Ward initiatives endorsed as part of our capital program for 2013/14 include:

$60,000         Drainage works on Blair Rd, Belgrave
$25,000         Bus Stop works Belgrave Hallam Rd, Belgrave
$20,000         Footpath construction works, Station St, Belgrave
$50,000         Construction of View Rd, Belgrave (as part of a special charge scheme)
$112,000       Continuation of the shared trail from Lysterfield to Belgrave
$53,900         Continued work on the Feasibility study for the Belgrave Hub
$100,000       Footpath construction works, Kallista-Emerald Rd, The Patch

This is along with the projects outlined in my blog story when the budget went on exhibition. You can read more about them here.

budget released for comment

report from the roundtable - 14 may

Last night’s council meeting saw the unanimous endorsement (note: Cr McCarthy absent) of the council budget 2013/14 and council plan for 2013/17.

The two documents guide Council’s strategic direction and activities in the next term of council and are out as a draft to seek public comment. Council will consider public submissions prior to the budget being endorsed at its meeting on the 25 June.

It is pleasing to see key directions in place for some time at Yarra Ranges reinforced by this current council. There still remains an emphasis on active and engaged communities, quality community infrastructure, protected and enhanced natural environment, vibrant economy, agriculture and tourism and a high performing organisation. I’m very pleased that councillors approved an increase of $1million towards footpath construction for 2013/14, this is yet to be allocated to projects throughout the municipality. Footpath and pedestrian links were key issues highlighted in our recent community survey which attracted over 1500 responses.

There are some key influences that have shaped the development of the budget including the ongoing pressure to maintain and renew the shire’s ageing infrastructure. This is complicated by the fact we have minimal growth in our rate base due to low levels of new development.

Council has committed to implementing a long term asset management program on renewal of over $950million worth of ageing community infrastructure.

There are also increasing community expectations for an expanded range and scope of service delivery, overlaying this is an ageing population, placing increased demands of direct care service provision and with that that the challenge of delivering services across the board where we see ongoing growing costs of delivery.

A further constraint is the capping of many user fees and charges by the State Government, this restricts council’s ability to recover the true cost of proving services in the planning and building area.

With all of this at play council realises that we need to seek a balance when striking the rate rise and meeting our infrastructure and service demands as well as legislative requirements. Our long term financial strategy includes a 4.8% rate increase across the next four years.  

At this stage the budget and plan are out for public comment, you can submit your comments via mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au.

 

Some of the projects on the cards for Lyster:

$60,000 – Blair Rd Drainage, Belgrave

$25,000 – Bus stop, Belgrave Hallam Rd, Belgrave

$20,000 – Commence footpath construction in Station St, Belgrave

$50,000 – View Rd, Belgrave construction

$112,000 – ongoing work on the Belgrave to Birdsland trail

$53,900 – Belgrave Hub feasibility study

Included in block funding in the capital works budget:

$7,000 – upgrade of the entry to Selby Community House

$30,000 – major maintenance to Selby Tennis Club Pavilion

$14,000 – major maintenance to Tecoma Preschool

$40,200 – drainage improvements in Belgrave South and Heights

$70,000 – floodway works in Selby

$19,000 – drainage works in Narre Warren East

$35,000 – kerb and channel rehabilitation in The Patch and Belgrave South

$22,000 – intersection sealing in Kallista and Belgrave South

$15,000 – road and drainage improvements, Nation Rd, Selby

$15,000 – road and drainage improvements, Old Monbulk Rd, Belgrave

$351,000 – road resurfacing and repairs for Brenda Gve, Tecoma, Colby Drv, Belgrave South, Georges Rd, The Patch, Kallista Emerald Rd, The Patch and The Patch Rd, The Patch

$24,000 – shoulder reconstruction, Grantulla Rd, Kallista

what should council prioritise?

Yarra Ranges Council has undertaken a whole-of-community survey because we want to know what you think your rates should be spent on and what council's priorities should be. Based on those results a supplementary survey has been prepared on a ward by ward basis.

It would be great for you to participate, it's important to put forward your views.

Below are the links for each ward in Yarra Ranges, click on yours and follow the questions. The survey takes between 5 and 10 minutes.

Billanook Ward:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Billanook-Ward

Chandler Ward:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Chandler-Ward

Chirnside Ward:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Chirnside-Ward

Lyster Ward:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Lyster-Ward

Melba Ward:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Melba-Ward

O’Shannassy Ward:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/OShannassy-Ward

Ryrie Ward:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Ryrie-Ward

Streeton Ward:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Streeton-Ward

Walling Ward:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Walling-Ward