Council adopts 2022-23 Budget and Annual Plan
Published on 01 July 2022
West Wimmera Shire Council has adopted its 2022-23 Budget and Annual Plan.
Council endorsed both documents at an unscheduled council meeting on Monday.
The Annual Plan identifies all the initiatives that Council intends to deliver in 2022-23.
The 2022-23 Budget ensures that sufficient funding and resourcing has been allocated to achieve the actions and initiatives outlined in the Annual Plan.
The 2022-23 Budget is a break even budget with total income and expenditure of $31.274 million. The capital works program for the year is $11.27 million, which is up from $8.075 million last year.
The 2022-23 Budget includes a rate cap increase of 1.75 per cent, which is an increase of $27.59 to the base average rate for the previous year.
Mayor Bruce Meyer said the budget again prioritised the renewal of large assets, including roads, drainage, and shire-owned buildings.
“We plan to make a positive impact on meeting maintenance and renewal requirements of Council's assets,” he said.
Council's road network is a priority for the year ahead, with $6.8 million capital expenditure planned for roads.
Cr Bruce Meyer said this year’s budget will also focus on community projects and initiatives.
“Council has committed significant money to match potential funding opportunities, with further funding committed to preparing ‘shovel-ready’ initiatives to allow Council to capitalise on possible future opportunities,” he said.
These community projects are further detailed in the 2022-23 Annual Plan.
Council will seek funding for the following project projects: Edenhope football changerooms and lighting upgrade; Harrow netball/tennis courts and lighting upgrade; Edenhope Playspace; Goroke oval irrigation/fence upgrade; and Apsley playground.
Projects to be prepared for future funding opportunities include Kaniva bowling green and potential cover; master plan for Kaniva Recreation Reserve; Goroke park amenities block and potential BMX track or pump track; and a Kaniva Splash Park.
Cr Bruce Meyer said both the Annual Plan and Budget was created after an extensive community consultation period.
Residents were also invited to provide feedback on both documents for Council to consider.
“As Councillors, it is our job to listen to community sentiment and understand their priorities,” he said.
“We have consistently heard that Council’s services are valued by the community, and that Council also needed to be financially responsible and keep its rates as low as possible."
Cr Bruce Meyer congratulated the staff involved in putting together the 2022-23 Budget and Annual Plan.
“Council will now work together to deliver all initiatives over the next 12 months,” he said.