2016-17 budget meets rate cap, maintains services and delivers operating surplus
June 23, 2016
Colac Otway Shire Council's 2016-17 budget meets the State Government's 2.5 per cent rate cap, maintains services and delivers an operating surplus.
Mayor Frank Buchanan said Council was pleased to adopt the budget, which earmarks $18.3 million in capital works, no new borrowings and the repayment of a loan three years earlier than scheduled.
Cr Buchanan said councillors had worked hard in partnership with the organisation to deliver a responsible budget with a strong commitment to providing affordable, sustainable services.
"In the first year of rate capping we've been able to deliver a budget that absorbed the impact of rate capping without affecting services to our community, and this is something that many other councils in Victoria were unable to do," he said.
"The organisation has implemented significant cuts to operating costs through changes to business practices and identifying smarter, cheaper and more efficient ways to do things.
"We have worked hard to find savings and to ensure we have maintained a strong focus on delivering the services our community needs and looking after our community assets and essential infrastructure like roads."
Highlights of the 2016-17 budget include:
- An $18.3 million capital works program including:
- $3.05 million for the Central Reserve redevelopment.
- $9.12 million on roads including $2.3 million of recovery work in bushfire-affected areas.
- $1.53 million for footpath and cycleway work including $290,000 on footpath extensions, $255,000 on footpath renewal and $975,000 for the Colac CBD and Entrances Project.
- A trial of additional green waste collections to coincide with the start of the fire season.
- A trial of additional operating hours for the Apollo Bay Library.
- $301,650 for upgrades to the Birregurra tennis and netball courts.
- More than $500,000 for sustainability and energy efficient programs such as further work on the installation of sustainable street lighting.
- $50,000 for the Apollo Bay Harbour development plan process.
Cr Buchanan said it was challenging to deliver the budget in line with the rate cap, and it would become even more challenging in coming years.
"We have worked hard to make the necessary savings to ensure Council remains in a sustainable, low-risk financial position," Cr Buchanan said.
"However we'll have to work even harder in the future to find efficiencies to meet the rate cap and unfortunately it's inevitable that service changes will be required.
"People can be assured that Council will work closely with our community to discuss any changes proposed."
Copies of the budget can be downloaded from the COS website.
Council Enquiries
(03) 5232 9400