Plan a framework for shire By Stephen Taylor MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council last week adopted its 202232 Financial Plan as a framework for services and spending over the next 10 years. The Local Government Act 2020 requires councils to develop and adopt a financial plan for that period. Chief Financial Officer Bulent Oz said financial planning was the process of aligning financial capacity with long-term service objectives. “This financial plan is our key financial planning document and establishes a sound financial framework for council’s decisions,” he said. “It is instrumental in ensuring we can deliver enhanced services now and in the future. “The purpose of this … plan is to provide a 10 year financially sustainable projection as to how the actions of the Council Plan may be funded to achieve the Community Vision. “The objective is to create a responsible plan that protects our services, protects our ratepayers and safeguards the council’s growth. “The … plan aims to deliver on the Mornington Peninsula community’s vision for a sustainable, vibrant and prosperous future that values innovation and shared compassion.” Surpluses will be a feature of council budgets every year for the next decade. Mr Oz said the surpluses would be directed towards funding capital infrastructure to support the shire, particularly in growth areas. “In 2021 we asked the community to help shape our future and develop a new Community Vision for the peninsula to 2040,” he said. “Over 3000
people became involved providing feedback via surveys, online workshops, township pop-ups, postcards and drawings. “An independent community panel from across the Mornington Peninsula reviewed the feedback and other information to develop the Community Vision. “This 10 year Financial Plan is focused on achieving the aims of the Community Vision and will be reviewed annually to ensure continued alignment.” Key points in the plan are that council’s assets are forecast to increase from $2.8 billion to $2.96 billion by 2032 as a result of capital investment in infrastructure, while expenditure on key programs and services is forecast to be $2.8 billion over the next 10 years. Underlying surpluses will be a feature every year throughout the 10 year plan. They will be directed towards funding important capital infrastructure to support the municipality, particularly in growth areas. “Over the next 10 years we will spend $500 million on capital works,” Mr Oz said. “A major component of this investment will be increased open space and ongoing renewal and maintenance of existing assets. “Predicted savings of $150 million will be made, with our commitment to deliver ongoing efficiencies over the next 10 years, and leisure centres, parks and reserves will be maintained.” Mr Oz said the council’s $2.8 billion in property, infrastructure, plant and equipment assets’ replacement value would also be maintained.
Illegal dumping: Discarded waste scars the landscape at Red Hill and Hastings. Pictures: Supplied
Waste crime costing councils plenty Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au RUBBISH dumping has been a problem on the Mornington Peninsula for years – and especially during the COVID-19 lockdowns. It was exacerbated by the temporary closure of the shire’s transfer stations prompting recalcitrant residents to simply offload their waste in the bush. The shire’s Circular Economy and Waste team Leader Daniel Hinson said mattresses, household furniture and green waste were the major items dumped. Keep Victoria Beautiful Council says councils spent $89 million cleaning up illegal waste in 2019/20, with ratepayers left to foot the hefty bill. Worse, only a handful of dumpers were prosecuted.
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The KVB said while there was a jump in the dumping of building, household, clothing and green waste in parks, nature strips and in rural areas, the biggest growth has been the dumping of asbestos-contaminated soil. Major culprits are construction businesses, civil engineering operators or rogue rubbish removalists looking to tip waste cheaply, and transient residents. The problem has been accelerated by an increase in the municipal councils’ landfill levy in July – up from $65.90 to $105.95 per tonne. “We would like the state government and EPA to develop and fund statewide anti-litter education campaigns, encourage the sharing of intelligence between councils, finance officer training and create more effective enforcement procedures and processes,”
the council’s enforcement training manager Travis Finlayson said. “Much of this activity is being done on an ad hoc basis, with councils expected to manage these processes themselves … something regional and smaller councils can ill afford to do.” Mr Finlayson also believes business and residents can act as the “eyes and ears” of council when it comes to waste crime incidents. “There are numerous examples of how members of the public have been central to an investigation and have helped with the successful prosecution of waste crime perpetrators, ensuring they get their just desserts,” he said. Anyone seeing a dumping incident should collect as many details as possible, such as vehicle type and registration number, and call the shire on 1300 850 600.
Detox your Home is coming to Mornington
Free breast screens in Mornington
19 November – 3 December The Bays Hospital (front car park), Mornington
Free
Takes 10 minutes
No doctor’s referral or Medicare card
If you are aged 50–74, breast screens are the best way to find breast cancer early. Book at breastscreen.org.au or call 13 20 50 PAGE 10
Mornington News
16 November 2021
For those with no symptoms
With a female radiographer
Dispose of everyday household chemicals such as bleach, pesticides, weed killers, cleaning products, cosmetics and cooking oil without harming your health or the environment. Register today for Sustainability Victoria’s free household chemical drop-off day, supported by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. For a full list of chemicals accepted, visit: www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/accepteditems
Mornington Event
To register
Saturday 27 November 2021 9.00 am to 2.00 pm
sustainability.vic.gov.au/ detoxyourhome
Mornington Waste Disposal Centre 134 Watt Road, Mornington
1300 363 744
Paint, batteries and fluorescent lights are not accepted at this event. For safety reasons we can’t accept containers larger than 20 litres or 20 kilograms. Please bring your chemicals in non-returnable containers.