2022-23 Proposed Council Budget & Community Information Sessions
Published on 29 April 2022
Community members are invited to consider the Proposed Budget 2022-23 and the revised Revenue & Rating Plan and provide feedback to Council by Thursday 26 May 2022.
After a zero percent rate increase this financial year, next year’s budget proposes a 1.75 percent rate increase in line with the State Government Rate Cap. The proposed budget provides for a total operating expenditure of almost $24 million and a capital works program of close to $11 million.
Key features of the Proposed Budget 2022-23:
- Constructing a new 100 vehicle carpark in High Street with the land we’ve just purchased at a cost of $600,000. Council is borrowing for this project.
- $1.45 million will focus on resolving long standing drainage issues, with $870,000 on the Apollo and High Street corner.
- Stage 2 of the Heavy Vehicle Alternate Route ($2.08 million).
- Open space and streetscape improvements ($412,000).
- Path and cycleways ($421,000).
- Station Precinct Master Plan – Heritage Museum Building ($1.28 million).
Mayor Cr James Tehan said the Proposed Budget represented a year of action on the commitments Council has made to the community.
“Population growth requires new subdivisions and new housing. To keep up with this growth, three new positions are required. We’re providing an additional staff member for roads maintenance, to service the increased lengths of road in our new developments. Another staff member will be appointed to parks and gardens, ensuring our open spaces and towns continue to be well maintained and attractive,” said Cr Tehan.
“We’re also adding a community connection officer, which enables us to provide planning and advocacy in aged care, youth services and early years.”
The budget proposes an increase to the waste charge for households for 2022-23.
Councils charge fees to recover the cost of the waste service provided to residents. The average ratepayer currently pays about $330 and will pay approximately $495.
The proposed cost is comparable to waste service charges at neighbouring councils, which are in excess of $500 per year.
Over the past few years, the cost of waste services has been increasing, particularly landfill and EPA costs. Landfill costs increase each year well above CPI and the EPA levy went up 60% between 2020 and 2021. It is expected to increase again next financial year. In addition, Council has not recovered enough over the last three years to cover the true cost of delivering waste services and the waste reserve is in deficit.
All this together with requiring additional staffing at the Resource Recovery Centre to meet the needs of our growing community means that Council is proposing to increase the waste charge next financial year.
Community Budget Information Sessions
Mansfield Shire residents and ratepayers are invited to attend community budget information sessions to be facilitated by Councillors and senior officers regarding the Proposed Budget 2022-23.
Mansfield: Council Chambers - 33 Highett Street, Mansfield on Tuesday 10 May 2022, 5.30pm
Melbourne: Box Hill Town Hall – 1022 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill on Wednesday 11 May 2022, 6.30pm
How to Provide Feedback
Community members are invited to consider the documents and information at engage.mansfield.vic.gov.au
Feedback can be submitted online, via email to budget@mansfield.vic.gov.au or by post to Private Bag 1000, Mansfield VIC 3724. Submissions must be made before 5pm on Thursday 26 May 2022.
All written submissions are public documents and will form part of a public report to Council. A meeting of a Special Committee of Council formed to hear submissions will be held on Tuesday 7 June 2022. All Councillors are on the Special Committee. All submitters have a right to speak to their submission (ie. make a verbal deputation). The Special Committee of Council will be held online.
If you require a physical copy of the documents, contact Council by phone on 03 5775 8555 to request a print copy is made available for collection.