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Wednesday, May 8, 2024
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Sister act in perfect harmony Page 9
GROUP STILL PURSUING A PERMANENT HEADQUARTERS Wangaratta CFA Group officers Garry Nash (left) and Lachie Gales have held progressive talks with state and local CFA management regarding the ongoing pursuit of a permanent Wangaratta headquarters. FULL STORY PAGE 3
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No frills budget 2.75% rate rise; $25.76m capital works; $516k operating surplus; 4% hike in user fees, charges RATEPAYERS can expect a general rate rise, and waste charges hike, both by 2.75 per cent, under a draft 2024-25 budget publicly revealed at Wangaratta council on Monday night. The general rate revenue of $32.27 million is in line with the Victorian Fair
BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au
Go Rate Cap and it was noted that amounts have not kept up with inflation for the past four years, placing increasing financial
pressure on the Local Government sector. Mayor Dean Rees, in his introduction to the draft budget, noted the 2.75pc waste service charges rise was due to new best practice guidelines published by the Minister for Local Government earlier this year.
Council is undertaking a thorough review of waste service charges against these guidelines and will communicate the outcome of the review when completed. Other key elements of the draft budget were outlined by director of corporate and leisure Sarah Brindley,
including a total income of $91.76 million, operating expenditure of $80.29m, an accounting surplus of $11.47m, with zero new borrowings. “The draft budget has a capital works program of $25.76m, inclusive of $3.67m to be carried over
from 2023/24, leading to an adjusted underlying surplus of $516k,” Ms Brindley said. “The new program will be funded by $9.22m of grant funding and $16.54m of council cash from operations, reserves, and investments. ■ Continued page 2
Sunday, May 12th
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at the
Lunch & Dinner Choose from 5 main options and 3 dessert options Main Meal & Dessert $38 Main Meal only $30 Includes Glass of Sparkling and a chocolate Bookings Essential. Call (03) 5721 3711