| starcommunity.com.au
Page 8 Tuesday, 15 March, 2016
Connecting people and communities RTM
No funding guarantee By KATH GANNAWAY THE Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has warned that with 75 per cent of Victorian councils, including Yarra Ranges, committed to the State Government’s 2.5 per cent rate cap, some are reassessing whether they will continue to deliver services that are a State Government responsibility. MAV President, Cr Bill McArthur, said that for decades an increasing range of services have been provided by councils under shared funding agreements with the State. “The MAV’s data shows that over time, the State’s contribution had reduced, stopped completely or not kept pace with costs, leaving ratepayers to foot the bill,” he said. He listed school crossing supervisors and SES units as agreements that were originally 50/50 funding and said the SES should be funded in the same way as other emergency services. “SES units should not be relying on councils, fund-raisers and community goodwill to do such important work protecting our communities,” he said. Mr McArthur said school crossing supervisors are now only covered for only 20 per cent of costs by the State. Yarra Ranges Councillor, Len Cox, has had decades of experience of how the weight of federal and state government funding has changed over the years and has raised it numerous times in council in relation to shared funding. “We’ve had some good funding from both the State and Federal governments,” he says, but he warns that the funding isn’t guaranteed, and councils often end up having to fund successful programs, or ditch them. Libraries are an area of particular
Yarra Ranges Cr Len Cox has warned federal and state funding isn't guaranteed. 140317 interest to Cr Cox. “Our council puts in about 79 per cent of the cost of running libraries with the State on 21 per cent, and it’s been that way for a few years now,” he said. “They can’t have it both ways, cost shifting has been going on for years, but then they limit Council’s ability to raise money,” he said, but added that, left alone, he believed Yarra Ranges could balance the books well. “We have done every year since I’ve been involved, and I believe we
can do it even with the rate cap. He said the ratio for school crossing supervisors had been progressively dropping and said he was aware that some councils had dropped their funding. “When finances are tight, you wonder how long you’re going to be able to keep things like that going, but we have no intention of changing it this year,” he said Cr McArthur said they are hopeful of getting the services back to 50/50 arrangements, ensuring communities
are not without the services they rely on. “The MAV has been chipping away to achieve fairer funding deals for councils for years, but these wins are sensitive to political cycles,” he said. Cr Cox is not at all optimistic that the tide can be turned back. “You would have to be a supreme optimist to think we are going to get back to the 50/50 arrangement, but the State needs to keep paying what they are due,” he said.
Budget’s $36m big spend MORE than $36 million will be invested in new community and recreation facilities, road and footpath construction and maintenance, as well as other significant capital works under Cardinia Shire Council’s 2016-'17 Draft Budget. An additional $9.16 million will be spent on new and existing assets in Cardinia Shire, when compared to 2015-'16. Key projects include sporting and recreation facilities in Emerald, while road and footpath renewal and maintenance across the shire will continue to be a priority. Mayor Cr Jodie Owen said it was the first year of rate-capping, which had provided a unique challenge for council. “We want to be able to continue to deliver the infrastructure and services that our communities need while also recognising that many people are doing it tough,” Cr Owen said. Commitments include the Emerald Community Hub ($3.5 million). Council has released the draft 2016-'17 for public comment. The draft budget and Council Plan are available at cardinia.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay. Hard copies are on display at the Council Civic Centre and the Emerald mobile library. Community members wishing to make comments and submissions about the draft budget can do so by 5pm on Wednesday, 6 April. Submissions should be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, then delivered to the Civic Centre in person or mailed to PO Box 7, Pakenham, Victoria, 3810. Council will hear submissions on Monday, 11 April, and will consider formal adoption of the budget at its meeting on Tuesday, 26 April.
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