The budget proposes a rate increase of 2.5 per cent. This is in line with the new ‘Fair Go’ Rates System, which has capped rates increases by Victorian councils to the forecast movement of 2.5 per cent in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This is the first year of the' Fair Go' Rates System and while Council proposes a rate increase that is in line with the 2.5 per cent cap, the actual rate increases experienced by individual ratepayers will be different due to this being a year where all properties undergo a revaluation.
Mayor, Cr Marianne Pelz, said while Council has not elected to apply to the Essential Services Commission for a variation, it has further reviewed the way services are delivered and identified operational savings and efficiencies that has enabled it to keep its rates increase within the 2.5 per cent cap. “Since we started our term in 2012, we have consistently heard that Council’s services are valued by the community, and that Council also needs to be financially responsible and keep its rates as low as possible,” Cr Pelz said. “Our focus is on maintaining existing service levels and infrastructure, which is always challenging due to the geographic size of our municipality and the distinct needs of our communities. “Wherever you live in East Gippsland, you are using services we provide. As your Council, we provide over 100 services to over 40 individual communities across an area that is equivalent to 10 per cent of the size of Victoria, with around 80 per cent of our land being unrateable. I’m particularly pleased that we have also been able to continue a rebate for eligible pensioners on top of the Victorian Government’s pensioner rebate scheme.” Cr Pelz said the draft Budget was also driven by the priorities in the revised Council Plan.
The Shire’s CEO, Gary Gaffney, said the proposed budget seeks to maintain and improve services and infrastructure, as well as deliver projects and services that are valued by the community. “Councils across Australia raise approximately 3.5 per cent of the total taxation collected by all levels of Government in Australia. However, Councils are entrusted with the maintenance of more than 30 per cent of all Australian public assets including roads, bridges, parks, footpaths and public buildings,” Mr Gaffney said. “This means that a large proportion of Council’s income must be allocated to the maintenance and replacement of these valuable public assets in order to ensure the quality of public infrastructure is maintained at satisfactory levels."
The community is encouraged to have their say on the revised Council Plan and draft Budget. Copies are available from the Shire’s website or can be viewed at the Shire’s Customer Service Centres and libraries. The draft Budget and revised Council Plan are out for public comment until noon on Wednesday, May 18. After considering submissions, Council will formally adopt the documents, including the declaration of rates and charges, with or without amendment, at a Special Council Meeting to be held at the Corporate Centre on Tuesday, June 21 at 6pm. All submissions will be available to the public.
