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www.wangarattachronicle.com.au
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FRIDAY, June 23, 2023
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WINTER | 2023
COLOUR YOUR GARDEN
LIFESTY LE BOOKS & MAGS
DESIGN YOUR HOME
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State’s top young finisher Page 3
WINTERFUN IS HERE RURAL City of Wangaratta Mayor Dean Rees and youth development officer Rachel Harrop invite the community to join them in the grounds of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Docker Street tomorrow for WinterFest. The annual celebration of winter is back and better than ever this year, with live entertainment from 10am, fun activities for kids including roller skating, polar tobogganing and a lantern procession in the evening, and festive food and drinks on sale. Entry is free and everyone is welcome. Story page 5 PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
O&M Derby Day is here Sport
Council rates, charges set to bite LUX LIGHTING
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RATEPAYERS will fork out almost 10 per cent more for their bin collection in 2023/24, charges that will sting Rural City of Wangaratta property owners despite some relief on a rate rise. The 2022/24 council budget adopted on Thursday afternoon includes a 2.9 per cent rate rise, a slight reprieve on ratepayers as it’s less than the Victorian Government’s Fair Go System rate cap of 3.5pc. The 0.6pc reduction will put about $10 back into the pockets of ratepayers, a total equivalent of $171,000 in lost
BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au
council revenue, based on the anticipated 16,370 rates assessments. But user fees, charges and fines are expected to raise a total of $13.75m in the 2023/24 financial year. There is a forecast 9.78pc increase in the kerbside, recycling and organic collection service charges, compared to a 6.23pc rise
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in the 2022/23 year. There are two noticeable hikes: a 21.2pc rise in charges for the urban and rural 360-litre yellow-lidded bin (+$39), and a 19.63pc jump in the rural 240-litre red-lidded bin service (+$64). Council director of community and infrastructure Marcus Goonan said the changes in waste charges are a result of change to the waste model, which sets prices more accurately on the costs of delivering the service. ■ Continued page 2
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$2000 GIVEAWAY
Ratepayers face 2.9% rate rise; 9.78% hike in bin collection services
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Discounts apply to select items in-store Inn House Interior In Design