COMMUNITY feedback on the Bass Coast Shire Council’s 2023-24 Budget has failed to persuade the council to make anything more than minor changes ahead of adopting the $106.8 million budget at last Wednesday’s council meeting.
A total of 17 submissions were received during the month that the draft budget was on exhibition and prior to approving the budget, the council tabled a response to those submissions.
Debrorah Milligan urged that the Pioneer Bay Community Facility include public toilets, which council confirmed had been funded as part of Stage 1.
Heather Mabilia asked for changes to the shire’s map identifying where budget money will be spent. Agreed.
Vicki Lloyd-Smith wanted a project to be funded to cut down on Phillip Island roadkill. Not recommended (council waiting on virtual fencing analysis).
Stephen and Penelope Lapin wanted to see additional funding for management and action on the “worsening erosion of the foreshore area between Coghlan’s Road and the Nature Park managed area at the eastern end of Silverleaves Avenue”. Additional funding not recommended (Funding is allocated in the 2023/24 Budget for active monitoring, sand renourishment and to restore or reintroduce indigenous vegetation).
Ken Blackman wanted council to fund the Urban Forest Strategy in the 2023-24 budget. Not recommended (aside from its climate change action program and creating a Significant Tree Register, there is no additional funds for the strategy).
Brendan Smart, Woolamai Beach, Surf Life Saving Club seeking funding for a storage shed for at Smiths Beach. Agreed (subject to success of a grant application). Meanwhile renewal of toilet block at Smith Beach for $433,000 is provided for in the 2023/24 Budget.
Deb Leonard, requesting $30,000 for Pump Track design at Cape Woolamai. Not recommended.
Prior to the budget being put to the vote, Cr Leticia Laing spoke saying that the commitment to a ‘rate cap’ policy by the state government was like having “one hand tied behind council’s back” in trying to deliver the same level of works and services while council’s income was effectively diminishing.
Council voted 7:1 to adopt the budget with Cr Rochelle Halstead absent from the meeting and Cr Les Larke recording his customary vote against the budget, in the past noting his concern about debt levels and council’s failure to adopt reasonable cost-saving measures.
As a result of adopting the budget, rates will rise by an average of 3.85% across the board but with homeowners and farmers likely to pay considerably more when rates notices go out in little more than a month from now.
The council will fund its $106 million program with $74m from rates and charges, $9.7m from fees and charges and $4.6m in new borrowings, the highlight being a $29.4m program of capital works.
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