By Oliver Lees
Macedon Ranges residents can expect an average rate rise of 1.5 per cent as part of a focus on spending toward shared spaces, according to the Macedon Ranges council’s draft 2021-22 budget.
At a meeting last week, councillors adopted the draft budget which includes a $7.9 million increase in capital works spending, an estimated total of $31.5 million expenditure.
This is the highest capital works expenditure in the last five years.
Councillor Mark Ridgeway said a “huge amount of work” had gone into creating the draft budget.
“I want to commend the officers that have been responsible and the councillors who have also contributed to the process as well,” Cr Ridgeway said.
The capital works program demonstrate a focus on new sporting facilities and public walkways, including $5.2 million toward the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct and $6.3 million toward the Macedon Ranges Shared Trail.
Councillor Janet Pearce said council staff had listened to feedback from the public when allocating resources.
“It’s a connection project,” Cr Pearce said, in reference to the Macedon Ranges Shared Trail.
“The community came back to us, their priority for community connection was a shared trail program.
“And that’s what we’ve worked really hard towards.”
But councillor Geoff Neil said he was frustrated that programs such as the Romsey Sports Master Plan had not progressed beyond a review phase.
The average growth in operating expenses is expected to grow 4.3 per cent in the next year.
The kerbside rubbish collection charge will also increase by about10.7 per cent per household in the shire, due to the fact that a higher level of contamination is being detected in recycled waste, as well as an increase in the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) levy.
As reported by Star Weekly last month, Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) bins will be rolled out shire-wide by July and will factor into higher costs for kerbside collections in regional areas.
Mayor Jennifer Anderson said it was important that the community looked over the draft budget and provided feedback.
“This budget is about you, so we can’t get this right if we don’t get your input,” Cr Anderson said.
“We want positive feedback on projects that you think are fantastic that you want to make sure there [and] concerns if you don’t think there’s enough money for a particular project.”
Public consultation on the budget will end at 5pm on June 8.
To view the 2021-22 draft budget, visit: www.mrsc.vic.gov.au.
