By Angela Valente
Macedon Ranges council is raising rates by 4.8 per cent and will embark on a program to replace assets that are wearing out.
Included in the council’s draft 2014-15 budget is $100,000 to fix dated outdoor pools, including those at Lancefield and Woodend, and furniture in public open spaces.
The council has allocated $400,000 for upgrading buildings including the Riddells Creek senior citizens’ centre and kindergarten and maternal and health centre and more than $500,000 for playgrounds, netball courts, sports ovals and recreation centres.
A total of $15.3 million will be spent on capital works, including
$7.5 million on roads, $2.2 million on parks, $1.9 million on buildings and $1.3 million on recreation.
Mayor Roger Jukes said the council was in the middle of major projects, with funding to be provided in the 2014-15 budget. Included is $2 million for netball courts in New Gisborne and
$1.5 million for an indoor stadium at Gisborne Secondary College for community use.
The council will borrow
$1.25 million in the budget to complete
the second stages of two projects, including $2 million for upgrades to Hanging Rock for the installation of water and electricity, lighting, landscaping, shelters, roads, car parking, barbecues and tables. The other project is an extension of the council offices in Gisborne, costing
$1.6 million.
The average rate increase for residents of 4.8 per cent equates to $80 a year for ratepayers living at median-valued properties. The rates bill for a typical person living in a house valued at $445,000, with weekly garbage, green waste and recycling collection, would be $1740 if the draft budget is adopted. That compares with $1660 in the previous budget.
Council corporate services director Glenn Owens said the council would receive $39.3 million in income from rates.
“We’re returning all existing services; nothing is being reduced or eliminated,” he said at the council’s meeting last Wednesday.
Council chief executive Peter Johnston said the budget involved careful allocation of resources.
“Increases in electricity, fuel and insurance costs have been factored into the budget, including the fire services levy which applies to all council-owned land,” he said.
“But instead of increasing rates or reducing services to cover these
extra costs, we focus on creating operational efficiencies by improving our processes.”
Written submissions on the draft budget will be accepted by the council until noon on May 30. People who write a submission can make a presentation to the council from 7pm on June 4 at its Gisborne offices at 40 Robertson Street.
The council will meet to finalise the budget on June 18.
