Council
22 May, 2025
Big ticket items included in draft budget
COUNCILLORS feel they have found a middle ground between fiscal responsibility and harnessing growth in Moyne Shire Council’s 2025-2026 draft budget.
The draft budget includes a total operating expenditure budget of $66million, an operating surplus of $0.8 million and a capital works program of $27.5 million including asset renewal of $22.3 million.
The underlying result, which excludes capital grants and contributions to fund capital expenditure and is a measure of council’s ability to generate a surplus in the ordinary course of business, is an underlying surplus of $1.3 million.
The capital works program includes a $13 million spend on roads, a $900,000 investment in female changeroom as DC Farran Recreation Reserve and $100,000 investment for facilities upgrade at the Woorndoo Recreation Reserve.
Council has also received an additional grant through the Disaster Ready Fund for construction of 1.5km of flood resilient pavement on Mortlake’s Connewarren Lane at a cost of $1.5 million.
The draft budget provides the financial resources to achieve the outcomes set out in the draft 2025 - 2029 Council Plan.
This includes the ongoing asset renewal commitment to ensure that council’s asset base of $683 million is adequately renewed and upgraded.
The 2025/26 draft budget incorporates a three percent increase in general and municipal rates and charges, in line with the state government’s Fair Go Rates System (FGRS) capping.
Despite the financial challenge that this poses, council is determined to maintain its services while working within the cap.
The recommendation before council was moved by councillor Myra Murrihy.
“We’ve done a lot of work on this as councillors and I’m interested now for it to go out publicly and gauge the community’s thoughts,” she said.
Councillor Jordan Lockett, as seconder, said community feedback was important in constructing the budget.
“We spent quite a lot of time on it as councillors and staff, fleshing out what we think is a financially responsible budget but also looking after what we’ve got,” he said.
“It’s very tight financially at a federal and state level.
“I’m calling it the Simon and Garfunkel budget, because we have a bridge over troubled waters.
“It’s an unfortunate, big investment we need to do – it’s an expensive bridge, but at 4000 trips per day we need to invest in that bridge.
“Please have your say with the budget – we think it’s a good budget, but we also want your feedback too.”
Six councillors raised their hand to carry the recommendation unanimously, with councillor Susan Taylor absent.
To view the draft budget visit moyne.vic.gov.au or visit the Moyne Shire Council office at 1 Jamieson Avenue, Mortlake.
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