Mayoral Matters - May 2024
Published on 23 May 2024
April 2024 – Mayoral Matters
The CEO and l are currently undertaking a Budget Roadshow presenting a high-level draft budget for the financial year 2024-25, outlining key initiatives, priority projects, and anticipated challenges for the upcoming period. In addition to our advertised community sessions, we are also visiting Senior Citizens, Lions and Probus Clubs across the Shire. We thank the community for the warm welcome, and their genuine interest in our draft budget, priority projects and advocacy to date.
A snapshot of our Budget for the 24/25 year is outlined below:
In the absence of a further commitment of the Commonwealth Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Funding, we have accounted for a reduction in investment in roads and associated infrastructure in the 2024-25 financial year. However, we eagerly await confirmation of the financial value of additional funding from the Commonwealth Government's Roads to Recovery program, which is expected to support the delivery of our capital works program. As of now, no provisions for this additional funding have been included in the 2024-25 budget.
We are committed to advancing community development projects, including the construction of three affordable homes in Rupanyup, Warracknabeal, and Hopetoun. Additionally, Community Contributions will continue, with the council making financial contributions towards swimming pools, progress associations (and their equivalent), recreation reserves, halls, and weir pool operations. We sincerely thank the community for being active volunteers and partners in service delivery. Without our volunteers, Council would be unable to offer the level of service currently being provided.
Following a thorough review, it is recommended that the farm differential rate be adjusted to 42c less of the rate in the dollar for the finanical year 2024-25, aiming to alleviate the burden on our farming community. Yarriambiack Shire maintains a farm differential rate to ensure fairness in service funding, acknowledging the unique challenges and capacities of rural properties.
The cost of waste and recycling continues to be a challenge for our Council, with a proposed 10% increase in 2024-25, noting even with this increase, we will not be at full cost recovery, with a projected deficit of $200k still forecast.
We have identified several key initiatives and priority projects for 2024-25, which are outlined in detail in our Budget.
Additionally, our advocacy priorities for the upcoming financial year encompass housing, early childhood education and care, recognition of recreational water as a high-security asset, roads funding, retaining and enhancing rural health services, and addressing the significant cost burden of waste collection and disposal on rural councils.
We encourage all residents to engage with the council by providing feedback on the draft budget, that is now available for feedback and available for viewing on our website. Alternatively, a copy of the draft budget can be mailed out on request, via a request to the Customer Service Team. Feedback will close at 5pm, Friday 14 June 2024.
For further information and updates on council initiatives, residents are invited to sign up for our weekly Yarri Yarns newsletter.