Mayor Heather Cunsolo said continuing cost of living pressures were front of mind when developing the Budget. “We are continuing to provide targeted relief for those who need it most as inflation and cost of living pressures, including interest rates, continue to cause many community members to do it tough.”
Careful financial management, including extra efficiency savings and no debt, has also provided a strong foundation to “future proof” the City through investing in capital works and much needed open space.
“We believe this comprehensive Budget allows us to keep delivering what makes our City so special, from a range of services and local economy boosting events and activations to the key infrastructure projects and open spaces our residents deserve now – and for generations to come.”
Despite several challenges, the average rate increase of 2.75 per cent for 2024/25 is within the rates cap and significantly below the forecast inflation rate over this timeframe.
“The dilemma for our Council is that the costs of providing services and looking after infrastructure to the standards required by our community are growing much more than inflation and the Victorian Government’s rates cap,” Cr Cunsolo said. Increased government cost-shifting and construction costs also had to be factored in.
A major change includes higher differential rates for derelict, vacant land and unactivated retail properties to incentivise property owners and discourage neglect linked to safety and amenity concerns.
The initiative was strongly supported during community consultation including by Council’s Business Advisory Group and local trader groups. “Since we foreshadowed this initiative, we’ve already noticed activity starting in some sites which have been sitting there for a decade. We want to see more vibrancy on our high streets and greater housing opportunities so this is a great start.”
While differential rates will apply from 1 July, property and landowners can be exempt from paying them the following year if they have undertaken activities such as participating in a retail “pop-up”, improving a derelict property or progressed construction to the framing stage. An appeals process will be available.
Other measures include:
• a 2.72 per cent rise in the default waste charge to $203.60 (below the rates cap), which follows rising waste costs being experienced by all councils
• efficiency savings of $1.5 million, providing for a total of $6.4 million in permanent savings to be delivered over this Council’s four-year term
• project investment of $114.3 million to maintain, grow and improve services and assets (including over $44.9 million for land acquisition to provide more public open space)
• Council-funded pensioner rates rebate increasing 4.8 per cent to $220 and an extra $40,000 for food relief
• continuing business support offered under the Economic Recovery Package until June 2025
• most fees and charges increasing 3.65 per cent, 0.25 per cent above forecast inflation. Some will be higher and some lower to reflect reasonable user pays charges.
