At a Meeting of Central Goldfields Shire last night (27/06) Council adopted the 2023-24 Budget.

The Budget was adopted following a 4-week period of public exhibition where Council received some insightful and thoughtful contributions and responses from community members throughout the Shire.

These were discussed further during two informative online Facebook sessions in June.

The 2023-24 Council Budget includes an $18.5 million plus Capital Works budget (including $12.3 million in grant funding), a rate rise of 3.5% in line with the Victorian Government-determined rate cap and an 8.7% increase to waste charges to meet the increasing costs of managing waste.

Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Cr Grace La Vella thanked community members who took the time to read the Draft Budget, tuned into our two online community information sessions and provided input.

“We’re thrilled we’ve been able to deliver a Budget that continues to deliver 40 plus services and an exciting capital works budget that will stimulate our local economy and result in some fantastic community facilities and assets.”

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights from the Capital Works program include:

  • Deliver Road Restoration Program to repair significant damage incurred following the October 2022 floods utilising Natural Disaster Financial Assistance funding to approximate value of $6.8 million.
  • Building Upgrades and renewal works to the Maryborough Town Hall
  • Redevelopment of the Deledio Reserve Netball Courts
  • Development of an Indigenous Interpretive Garden at the Central Goldfields Art Gallery
  • Completion of Goldfields Reservoir Dam stabilisation works
  • Delivery of Road reseals and asphalt program
  • Investment in IT Strategies including Cyber Security, website integration and Financial System upgrades

Other key projects to be undertaken in 2023/24 include:

  • Review of heritage controls in Maryborough
  • Continue with the next stage in the activation of the Maryborough Railway Station
  • Construction of new toilets in Rene Fox Gardens Dunolly
  • Growing Victoria works at Phillips Gardens
  • Completion of the Talbot Futures planning project
  • Local Laws review in accordance with statutory requirements before current law expires in 2025.
  • Feasibility and design work for a new Youth Hub
  • Scoping and design for key heritage preservation projects on facilities such as Princess Park Grandstand, Talbot Town Hall and Dunolly Town Hall to improve opportunities in gaining external funding for major required renewal works.

Grant-funded projects that will continue or begin in 2023/24 include:

  • Engage Youth Program
  • Freeza Program
  • L2P Program
  • Municipal Emergency Resourcing Program
  • Kerbside Reform Support
  • Flood recovery coordination

View the adopted2023-2024 Council Budget here.