Share your thoughts on Budget and Financial Sustainability Strategy

Published on 24 April 2024

The Central Goldfields Shire Council Draft Budget 2024-2025 and Draft Financial Sustainability Strategy is now available for public feedback, following endorsement at the April Council Meeting (23/04).

The documents are available to view on Council’s website www.engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au/budget2024 with feedback invited until 5pm, Friday 24 May 2024.

Community members are also invited to attend a drop-in community information session on Thursday 9 May from 4 to 7pm at the Community Hub, Maryborough.

At the same meeting, Councillors also endorsed its first Financial Sustainability Strategy – developed to ensure a strong financial future for our organisation.

Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Cr Liesbeth Long said the development of this year’s Draft Budget had been the most challenging of her four-year Council term.

“Every year Council’s Budget is put together with extensive consideration. Rising interest rates and the cost of living is having an impact on everyone – and Council isn’t immune to the current economic challenges either.

“The Victorian Government has enforced a 2.75% rate cap - given it’s well below the increase in our actual costs it’s tricky for us to find a balance between financial sustainability and meeting the wants and needs of our diverse community.

“The last couple of years there has been a large difference between actual CPI and the rate cap, this has begun to bite and so in response we have developed the Draft Financial Sustainability Strategy. Whilst we are still in a steady financial situation, there are signs of financial stress that we need to address early to ensure long term financial sustainability.

Despite these challenges, I’m happy to say it’s not all bad news! We are proud we’ve been able to develop a budget that continues to support our community.

“We’ll continue to deliver the 36 services you know and love – such as libraries, playgrounds, waste collection, parks and gardens just to name a few.

“We’ll also deliver a $13.7 million capital works program and spend $3.85 million on upgrading and renewing our roads.

“We’re also leaving enough room in our budget so that if we are successful with the many grant applications we are awaiting the outcome of – we’ll have the funds to seize these opportunities and make them happen.

“We encourage our community to review the Draft Budget and Financial Sustainability Strategy and to provide us with feedback. I also invite you to attend our drop-in community information session on Thursday 9 May from 4 to 7pm at the Community Hub Maryborough. This is an opportunity for you to come and ask questions and find out more.”

To view the Draft Financial Sustainability Strategy, Draft Budget and to provide feedback visit:  www.engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au/budget2024  

Community members are also encouraged to attend a drop-in community information session on Thursday 9 May at the Community Hub, Maryborough. The session will run from 4 to 7pm and community can attend anytime during this time.