Council Adopts 2024/25 Annual Budget
Published on 12 July 2024
Northern Grampians Shire Council Adopts 2024/25 Annual Budget
The Northern Grampians Shire Council 2024/25 Annual Budget was adopted on 24June.
“The Budget is linked directly to delivering goals outlined in the 2021-25 Council Plan. Budget development included careful consideration of options that would ensure that Council could continue to offer quality services in the face of inflation and the constraints of the rate cap," Northern Grampians Shire Mayor, Councillor Rob Haswell said.
“We are soon to commence work on the next four-year Council Plan which will reflect priorities submitted to us by community members.
“A highlight of the budget is the $18.8 million Capital Works Program, which includes major works such as infrastructure, roads and buildings. Some of it is new work and some is continuation of work that has already commenced,” Councillor Haswell added.
Work on roads is budgeted at $7.6 million and includes continuation of Sloane Street Stawell safety improvements, upgrades of Baldwin Plains – Tottington Road, Kelleys Beach Road; an upgrade of the Ord Street Stawell School Crossings; and upgrade of Clyde Street, Raglan Street, and Smith Street St Arnaud footpaths. One of the larger road projects will see 7km of Stuart Mill Road widened from a single lane road to a dual lane road allowing heavy vehicles to access it safely.
$6.4 million will be spent on buildings including new facilities at Great Western for the Football Netball Clubroom. Similar works will be carried out at the Navarre Recreation Reserve with the demolition of the old netball change rooms and installation of new amenities and social space.
$1.6 million will be invested on bridges in the Shire. In addition to protecting bridges, this work increases their serviceability and capacity resulting in heavy vehicles to use them effectively.
$0.9 million will be invested in parks and recreation including grants to be sought to upgrade the Central Park Netball Facility and renewal of the St Arnaud Pool.
The budget shows an increase in rates consistent with the 2.75% rate cap set by the Minister for Local Government. There was zero increase to waste and recycling kerbside collection charges.