Wodonga Council has endorsed its draft budget for 2022-2023 for public exhibition and further feedback from the community.
The draft budget includes a 1.5 per cent rate rise - which is below the Victorian Government rate cap of 1.75 per cent.
On average, households will face an increase in rates and charges of 49 cents per week.
Wodonga Mayor Kev Poulton said it was pleasing to be able to continue the delivery of relatively low rates increases.
“Finding ways of limiting rates rises while continuing to deliver high quality facilities and services to the community has been our priority and the proposed rise that comes in under the government’s rate cap will help to ease the cost of living burden on our ratepayers while providing us with the economic foundation we need to keep growing our city,” he said.
“Important changes to the way we calculate our ratings differentials also enabled us to allocate rates in a more equitable way across the city.”
The draft budget contains capital expenditure of $30m for new and ongoing projects across the city.
Key projects include:
- $11m for Baranduda Fields;
- $8m to assume ownership of the council works depot, and
- $1.9m towards the redevelopment of the Wodonga Exhibition Centre
Cr Poulton thanked the more than 300 community members who had their say on the budget priorities as part of a “Dollars and Sense” campaign in February and March.
“We heard that key areas for people were our roads, parks and gardens, the need for footpaths and bike paths and ongoing support for things to see and do in our city,” Cr Poulton said.
“This budget delivers, with more than $3 million spent on roads, almost $400,000 in walking and cycle path renewals and extensions, $425,000 in new and upgraded playgrounds, more than $400,000 for tree plantings and park infrastructure, and more than $300,000 for new and ongoing events.”
Deputy Mayor Graeme Simpfendorfer said the feedback had helped to draft a budget that met community expectations.
“The construction of a new footpath in Kinchington Rd is one example of how we responded to that feedback, while several road projects raised by respondents will be considered as part of our renewals program in future budgets,” he said.
“Our thanks go to everyone who’s helped to draft this budget and we invite further input as we progress towards adoption of the budget for the upcoming financial year.”
Have your say before June 14 at makewodongayours.com.au