Council releases proposed budget for 2024/2025
Published on 19 April 2024
Flood protection initiatives, a public art installation, and recreation projects in Campbells Creek, Norwood Hill, Newstead and Harcourt are some of the highlights of Mount Alexander Shire Council’s proposed budget for 2024/2025.
Other features include projects to boost affordable housing, continued funding for ongoing road maintenance, and the implementation of initiatives in the Disability Inclusion Action Plan and Early Years Plan.
The proposed budget was presented to Councillors for review at its meeting on Tuesday 16 April, prior to being placed on public exhibition.
Of a planned total spend of $47.90 million for the financial year, $9.94 million is allocated to improve infrastructure, as well as investment to improve our community facilities.
Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Mayor, Councillor Matthew Driscoll, said the proposed budget was developed in consultation with the community.
“We have an engaged and knowledgeable community in Mount Alexander Shire,” said Mayor Driscoll, “and their ideas and input are incredibly valuable when putting together the proposed budget.
“Community consultation is a big part of the budget process, and when we allocate funding our decisions are informed by what our community has told us.
“Roads, recreation, parks and gardens, and arts and culture were highlighted as important focus areas during our first phase of community feedback.
“The preservation of our shire’s rich building heritage and protecting our natural environment were also important to people who provided input.
“Following community feedback, we’ve incorporated initiatives in the draft budget to support further heritage studies, and also the implementation of an online project which will create a map of our digital environmental assets.”
“This will help us in identifying what environmental assets there are in the shire, so we can work towards protecting them.”
“We’ll also be progressing our multi-year projects. One of which is the restoration of the former Wesleyan Church in Chewton. This is something that our community strongly advocated for and I’m pleased we’re able to continue funding this project.
“We’re also continuing to progress our work on affordable housing solutions, which is a priority for all Councillors and Council staff.”
“We’re also supporting the progression of the Castlemaine-Maryborough Rail Trail, which is really pleasing.
“The group came to Council and put a strong case forward to help them progress their development, so we’re putting funding there.
“We’re also increasing support for our contribution to the Castlemaine Art Museum to make their existence more secure into the future.
“I’m proud too that we’re increasing our expenditure in the next year on assessing and planning services for older people and people with disabilities, to help them live independently,” said Mayor Driscoll.
The proposed budget includes an increase to average rates income of 2.75% in line with the rate cap set by the Victorian Government. Waste charges have been increased by 2.75% also to reflect the rising costs of waste management.
“Making decisions on rates and service charges is a difficult part of the budget process, and Councillors have spent a lot of time discussing what’s appropriate and sustainable for both the community and the organisation,” said Mayor Driscoll.
“With the cost of materials and services ever-increasing, and with more responsibilities and expectations from various levels of government and the community, the reality is that we don’t have enough funds to do the work that everyone would like us to.
“It also means there are hard decisions to be made when developing the budget. These are decisions that we have discussed and thought about at length.
“With that said, I’m confident that we have a balanced and fair proposed budget, and I’m proud to put it forward to the community.
“I encourage everyone to have a look at the proposed budget, and see where we’ll be allocating funds and what areas we’ll be focusing on over the next financial year.
“There are some amazing initiatives to look forward to, both for our smaller townships and the shire as a whole.
“You can read through the proposed budget and have your say on the priorities, either in support or to suggest further ideas for consideration.”
Copies of the proposed budget for 2024/2025 can be viewed at Castlemaine’s Civic Centre or online at www.shape.mountalexander.vic.gov.au.
Feedback on the proposed budget can be made through the following channels:
Submissions must be made in writing and lodged by 5.00pm on Wednesday 8 May.
Submitters will have the opportunity to address their submissions at an Unscheduled Meeting of Council on Tuesday 21 May. Council will seek to adopt the budget at the June Council Meeting.
Budget highlights from the capital works program
- A number of recreation projects including the commencement of an upgrade to the Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve pavilion ($806K, subject to funding), and design works for future construction or renovation of public toilets in Norwood Hill, Newstead and Harcourt ($66K).
- Progressing multi-year projects including the construction of Castlemaine and Campbells Creek levees ($2.17M) and the continued restoration of the former Wesleyan Church in Chewton ($322K).
- Continuing a number of annual renewal and replacement programs across a range of assets including community buildings ($556K), plant and machinery ($1.33M), swimming pools ($142K), and road resheeting and resealing ($1.9M).
- Several minor projects, including investigation of streetscape improvements for the shire’s smaller towns ($86K), footpath design and renewal works ($336K), replacement of a playground ($218K), and major patching of the road network ($337K).
- Year one of a two-year project to commission a public art installation ($134K).
Government funding
Council has been proactive and successful in sourcing grant income to help fund our capital works program. Council expects to receive $3.83 million from both State and Federal Governments for a number of projects.
New and continuing initiatives
- Increasing the budget allocation for a number of tree management programs. This will ensure best practice tree management and will mitigate potential risks associated with trees in public places.
- Increasing the budget allocation for the Castlemaine Art Museum to $100K. This will support them in making necessary operational and strategic changes, which will strengthen the future of this valued organisation.
- Continued budget allocation for actions arising from the Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2023-2027 and the Early Years Plan 2022-2026
- Progressing our work on affordable housing solutions within the shire, a priority for all Councillors. This includes an inaugural allocation of $500,000 to the Mount Alexander Affordable Housing Trust.
- Allocating $40,000 to the Castlemaine-Maryborough Rail Trail Group. This is to continue to support their endeavours to transform the disused rail corridor connecting into a world-class recreational trail.