Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 4 May

Published on 04 May 2021

Key finance documents out now for comment

Council’s 2021/22 Draft Budget, Draft Schedule of Fees and Charges, and Revenue and Rating Plan are now out for community feedback until Friday 28 May 2021. 

Council remains debt-free, with no loan repayments, and a continued strong cash position. The Draft Budget maintains Council’s approach of being financially responsible, while ensuring its commitment of providing a large range of services to our community.

The Draft Budget includes a rate increase of 1.5 per cent – in line with the Victorian Government’s Fair Go Rates System. The Draft Schedule of Fees and Charges also proposes to increase fees and charges by 1.5 per cent – the same as the rate increase.

The Revenue and Rating Plan proposes the revenue raising framework for Council for the next four years.

The Draft Budget allocates a capital expenditure program of $6.92 million, which includes $3.07 million towards roads, $350,000 for urban and road drainage, and $240,000 for footpaths. The total figure also includes $1.33 million for leisure and community facilities.

Additionally, the Draft Budget includes a $300,000 allocation for works associated with the Building Asset Management Plan and full funding of Council’s ongoing commitment to community planning of $750,000.

Copies of the Draft Budget, Draft Schedule of Fees and Charges, and Draft Revenue and Rating Plan are available on Council’s website.

Copies are also available for inspection at Council’s Wedderburn office during business hours or can be posted out on request by calling Council’s Customer Service on (03) 5494 1200.

Council will meet to consider any feedback to the Draft Budget, Draft Schedule of Fees and Charges, and Draft Revenue and Rating Plan at the Council Forum on Tuesday 8 June 2021. It will then consider adoption of these key documents at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on Tuesday 22 June 2021 and will give public notice of its decision.

Community Asset Committee events during National Volunteer Week

Community Asset Committee members are invited to come along to a range of free local information events to be held across Loddon Shire for National Volunteer Week from Monday 17 May until Friday 21 May. 

The events planned for National Volunteers Week will provide valuable information for every committee member. Each information event is aimed at a different committee position.

Information events include Governance and Dispute Resolution, Public Liability Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance for Volunteers: The difference between committee members and volunteers, and Attracting New Volunteers.

Other information events include Using the new Treasurer’s template, Casual Hire and Seasonal User Group Agreements and Involving the community with activities, such as movie nights. 

For more information, including times and locations of events, visit Council's website. 

Long contribution recognised

Having mentioned National Volunteer Week and community volunteers, I’d like to acknowledge Inglewood’s Eucalyptus Distillery Museum’s Committee member Bert Bradley who has left the Committee after 13 years.  

Bert was involved with the Committee since the early days, including development of the plans for the museum to recognise the history of eucalyptus oil distilling in the region. Bert and his family participated in the eucy-cutting and distilling industry for many years. His knowledge and wisdom provided valuable assistance as part of the Committee during the past 13 years.

The museum is expected to reopen in July, following an extended closure after the COVID-19 lockdown – and some tours are already being forward booked. 

The museum team is also looking for new volunteers to assist the Committee. To find out more, call the Secretary, Murray on 0409 309 090 to discuss how you may be able to assist.

Citizenship congratulations

Last week I had the honour of presenting citizenship certificates to our newest Australian citizens: Mr Russel Roma Ceballos (formerly from the Philippines), Mr Binu Karuvelil Varghese, Ms Saritha Sajan and their daughter Grace Karuvelil Binu (all formerly from India), Mrs Mary Grace Loosley (Philippines), Mr Mohammed Mubarak Meera Sahib (India) and Mr Amine Rasbey (Lebanon). 

All made the Australian Citizenship Pledge during a ceremony at the Council Chambers last Tuesday. Congratulations to all.

FRRR grant program

Grant applications for the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) Strengthening Rural Communities program are now open. 

The program gives small rural, regional and remote communities across Australia an opportunity to access funding to support broad community needs. Grants are available for a broad range of community-led initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities.

For more information visit the FRRR website. 

Applications close at 5pm, Tuesday 25 May 2021.