Council adopts 2023-2024 Budget with 2.95 per cent rate rise

Council’s newly adopted Budget 2023-2024 includes a rate increase of 2.95 per cent, a capital works program of $27.2 million and a $250 rate rebate for eligible ratepayers.

Mayor Cr Debbie Arnott said it was a responsible Budget that recognised cost of living pressures and sought to look after Council’s existing assets while ensuring the ongoing delivery of much-needed Council programs and services.

“We want to ensure we can maintain or renew the assets we have and we’ve made a new allocation of $9 million to renew or maintain our existing assets including roads, drainage and buildings,” Cr Arnott said.

“While the Victorian Government rate capping would have allowed a rate increase of 3.5 per cent, we’ve prepared a budget that recognises the cost of living and includes a rate increase that is well below inflation.”

Hardship provisions have been bolstered for eligible ratepayers and include an increase in the rates rebate of 25 per cent to $250 for eligible ratepayers.

“We hope this is a significant help for those ratepayers who might be doing it tough and would more than offset the average residential rates increase of $65.75,” Cr Arnott said.

“Where possible we have made only minimal changes to our fees and charges. For example there are no changes to dog and cat registration fees.

“During the Budget consultation phase we received a compelling submission from the Warrnambool Swim Club seeking an extension to the outdoor pool season so its members could train for regional and national competitions.

“We took that on board and have extended the pool season which we believe will be of benefit to the wider community in addition to swim club members.”

The capital works component of the budget is $26.7 million which includes:

$9 million of new budget allocations to Council’s asset renewal program;
$1.2 million of additional investment in the Brierly Precinct;
$0.6 million on Council’s CBD footpaths and Car Parks program;
$0.5million for a new West Warrnambool Neighbourhood House building;
$1 million on a hockey pitch upgrade;
Completion of the Japan Street major drainage upgrade project; and,
Year two of the joint “Coastal Connect” shared IT enterprise system with Corangamite and Moyne shires.

“We still have a number of important projects under way such as the McGennan amenities block to be finished by the end of October,” Cr Arnott said.

“When it comes to larger single capital works projects we’re really in an investigation stage, in particular with a view to the long-term future of the Warrnambool Art Gallery and AquaZone.”

No new borrowings have been budgeted in 2023-2024 and current debt levels remains within the Victorian Auditor-General’s low risk range.

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