Wednesday, June 13, 2018
Wodonga Council endorsed the draft budget 2018-2019 and adjusted council plan for public exhibition at the May council meeting.
The average ratepayer will pay an additional 69 cents a week under the council’s draft 2018-2019 budget with an effective 1.5 per cent rate rise.
While rates will rise in line with the Victorian Government cap of 2.25 per cent, the waste management charge will be reduced by 4.8 per cent, seeing an overall rise of 1.5 per cent.
The draft budget represents the sixth year of no new borrowings and the long-term forecast has proposed rate rises of 2 per cent, well below the long-term average of 4.97 per cent.
Significant items in the draft 2018-2019 budget include:
- The final stage of the High St reconstruction – this is the fourth and final year which will see the completion of the $20 million CBA project;
- A gas gate at Logic;
- Planning for a new cultural precinct;
- Installation of seating and water bubblers;
- Installation of Wi-fi in public places;
- Playground upgrades and a new playground at Daintree Estate
- Car park improvements at Willow Park and the athletics facility;
- Construction of key foot and cycle path linkages; and,
- Upgrade to the CBD to High Country rail trail.
The budget included a 4.8 per cent reduction to the household waste management charge to start to address the movement of funds for essential services from the waste management line to being collected via general rates.
Hard copies of the budget can be reviewed at the council offices, Wodonga Library and community centres.
The community is encouraged to come along to one of the information sessions that will be held throughout the feedback period or make a submission through one of our online tools.