Council Budget

The Budget 2013/14 aims to reflect the needs, expectations and aspirations of our community who want to see continued investment in vital Council services, programs, activities and events.

Council sought community feedback on the draft Budget in April -May 2013.

The draft Budget document can be viewed in full here: docx format Draft Council Budget 2013-14 (1.30 MB)

Here is a media release about the draft Budget.

Budget highlights
Proposed rate increase and pensioner rebate
Factors impacting the budget
Information sessions
Have your say
About the Fire Services Levy
Council Plan

Budget highlights

Highlights of the $138.7 million total operating Budget include:

Collingwood Town Hall upgrade

About $4.4 million is provided to complete the upgrade of the the historic Collingwood Town Hall. Works to improve the safety and accessibility of the building are expected to be completed in August 2013.

Victoria Street Gateway project

About $1.7 million will be spent on the construction of a culturally themed gateway on Victoria Street, Richmond. The gateway, to be located near the corner of Victoria and Hoddle streets and partially funded by the State and Federal governments, will incorporate references to Vietnamese culture in tribute to the vibrant Vietnamese community that is based in the local area.

North Fitzroy Community Hub

In 2013-14 a further $700,000 is provided to complete the design and award the contract for the construction of the North Fitzroy Community Hub. The hub will include a purpose-built library, maternal child health centre and new community centre.

Richmond Recreation Centre cogeneration

A cogeneration system that provides energy-efficient electricity and heating for the pool will be installed at the Richmond Recreation Centre at a cost of $815,000. This system will significantly increase the energy-efficiency of the facility and save on power bills.

New parks

A new park at 635 Church Street, Richmond will be constructed at a cost of $1.1 million. Construction is expected to begin in late 2013 and would see the transformation of the 3000m2 site into publically accessible open space.

About $680,000 will be spent on a new 600m2 park at the intersection of Docker Street and Richmond Terrace, Richmond. The park will include two lawn terraces, seating, garden beds, trees, bicycle racks and a drinking fountain.

Bicycle paths

Council will continue to invest in sustainable transport options, with About $1.1 million for bicycle lanes, paths and associated infrastructure.

Road and footpath upgrades

More than 80 projects, including road resheeting and footpath upgrades are planned for local streets across the municipality at a total cost of about $9.1 million.

Local Area Traffic Management

$592,000 is provided to implement actions from a number of Local Area Traffic Management Studies (or LATMS). A LATMS seeks to reduce the volume and speed of traffic to protect the safety and liveability of Yarra’s neighbourhoods. Importantly, a LATMS looks at traffic problems in the context of the whole area to ensure a solution in one spot doesn’t create a problem in another.

For further information about the draft Budget, contact Philip Mason, Manager Finance on 9205 5449 or at Philip.Mason@yarracity.vic.gov.au

Proposed rate increase and pensioner rebate

A 4.4% rate increase is proposed (which compares favourably with neighbouring inner metropolitan councils). The increase would work out at about $60 per year for a rate payer with a property valued at $630,000.

The rates rebate for pensioners is set to increase by 10 per cent from $136 to $150.

Factors impacting the budget

There are a number of mandatory State Government charges that impact Yarra’s budget and the budgets of all Councils across Victoria. These include:

The Fire Services Property Levy which Councils have been directed by the State Government to collect. Although this levy will appear on rates notices, it is not a Council charge for Council services.
State Government landfill levy costs will rise by 10% next year. Yarra will be paying over $1 million for this levy.
A payment of about $13.5 million to the defined benefit superannuation liability scheme (a scheme which pre-dated amalgamation).

Information sessions

Community information sessions were held on Wednesday 8 May and Thursday 9 May to allow commuity members to discuss the draft plan with Council officers.

Have your say

Submissions to the draft Budget closed at 5pm on Thursday 16 May.

Any person requesting to be heard in support of a written submission is entitled to be heard by Council or to be represented by a person acting on his or her behalf. Council will hear and consider submissions at its meeting at the Fitzroy Town Hall on Tuesday 21 May from 6.30pm.

If you would like to speak to your submission at that Council Meeting, please contact Tess Simson on 9205 5154 or at Tess.Simson@yarracity.vic.gov.au

Council is expected to adopt the draft Budget and draft Council Plan – with or without changes – at the Council Meeting to be held at the Richmond Town Hall on Tuesday 4 June from 6.30pm.