Council
5 July, 2024
Breaking down Yarriambiack Shire Council's 2024/25 budget
Yarriambiack Shire Council formally adopted their 2024/25 budget last week, which will see property owners facing a 10 per cent hike in their waste collection bill, as well as an increase in general rates.
The budget aims to raise $15,028,647 in revenue, $211,014 more than last year.
Council’s Waste and Recycling contract has increased by 25 per cent this year, but mayor Kylie Zanker wrote in the budget foreword that, while they were aiming for “full cost recovery”, the initially proposed 22 per cent increase in waste collection for property owners would be “burdensome” to the community.
“We recommend a more manageable 10 per cent increase for 2024/25, accepting a temporary deficit of $200,000 as we gradually move towards full cost recovery over the next three years,” Cr Zanker wrote.
Cr Zanker also said in her message that council had been dealt a “significant blow” with the loss of the federal government’s commitment to the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Funding.
Sale of 80 litre bins has increased and will now cost $66.44, while kerbside collection will now cost $173.78 per year - $15.80 more per rateable property.
Sale of 120 litre bins has increased and will now cost $72, while kerbside collection will now cost $241.25 per year - $21.93 more per rateable property.
Sale of 240 litre bins has increased and will now cost $88.58, while kerbside collection will now cost $469.56 per year - 42.69 per rateable property.
Recycling bins are still available for sale, free of charge, but the cost of kerbside collection has increased to $169.11 per year - $15.37 more per rateable property.
Kerbside collection of glass bins has increased for residential properties to $84.56 per year - $7.69 more per rateable property.
Although council is eligible to receive funding through the federal government’s Roads to Recovery program, the figures for this have not yet been released.
Her message said council will continue to advocate for funding from state and federal government programs in hopes of supporting development of Anzac Park, Hopetoun Former School Site, Murtoa Recreation Reserve and Beulah Supermarket.
“The housing and childcare shortage in our region is another critical issue we will continue to advocate for change,” Ms Zanker wrote.
At the June council meeting, before the 2024/25 budget was formally adopted, Cr Chris Lehmann advocated for an amendment which will see $200,000 in funds shifted from the Master Environment Strategy and reallocated to the Capital Works Footpath Program, increasing the overall Footpath Capital Works investment for this year to $382,000.
The motion was seconded by Cr Corinne Heintze, and passed five votes to two.
The state government's Fair Go Rates's System has placed a rates increase cap of 2.75 per cent on Victorian local governments and councils for 2024/25, and Yarriambiack property owners will see an average increase of 2.71 per cent.
Residential property owners’ rates will increase by 0.91 per cent after the estimated total value of land increased by 5.76 per cent in the last year.
Commercial property owners’ land has increased in value by an estimated 5.87 per cent, and so their rates will increase by 1.02 per cent.
Farmers will weather the largest rates change with their total land value increasing by an estimated 16.35 per cent, and will see their rates increase by 3.07 per cent.
The Capital Works Program, which covers the costs of maintaining, upgrading or establishing infrastructure and assets, will decrease substantially this year.
Last year saw just over $11m spent on council’s assets, but this year only $8.6m has been budgeted (21 per cent less).
Projects forecasted for the next 12 months which will be covered under the Capital Works Program include landscaping, drainage and a carpark installed at Warracknabeal Childrens Centre ($350,891); redevelopment of the public amenities at Lions Park and on Scott Street ($320,000); Stage 2 of Rabl Park’s skate park upgrade ($200,000) and streetscaping in Yaapeet ($90,000).
Horsham Rural City Council have increased their waste collection levy by six per cent, and Hindmarsh by 2.65 per cent this year.
Hindmarsh Shire residents will see an average increase in their general rates of 2.71 per cent - 1.07 per cent for residential properties, 2.59 per cent for commercial, and 2.96 per cent for farms.
Hindmarsh Shire has also increased the rates for owners of vacant urban land owners by 6.93 per cent.
Horsham Rural City Council is yet to release their 2024/25 budget.
The full document, Yarriambiack Shire Council’s 2024/2025 Annual Budget can be viewed HERE, or at their Customer Service Centres.