Wodonga rate pain looms

The newly elected council, including many who recently campaigned promising to not lift rates above the Victorian Government-imposed cap, are facing some anxious weeks leading up to a late January deadline on applying for an exemption.

The council’s September quarterly financial report presented on Monday night revealed a variation to the rate cap would be sought to fund “increased infrastructure demands from being a high growth regional city”.

Mayor Anna Speedie said the report provided an accurate snapshot of where the council was positioned financially, and talked up its $1.92 million surplus for the 2015-16 financial year.

“We do have still quite a bit of work to do in terms of looking at the amounts that were achieved in terms of our surplus going from last period,” she said.

“It's really important that when we look at that allocation that we know we've got plenty of work to do.

“We have got a lot to continue to look at as to where the budget is currently sitting, where the projects are currently sitting and what our community is telling us it still wants and needs.”

When discussing the finance report for October, Cr Tim Quilty, who is on record in calling for future rate rises below inflation, said he would have more comment to make on the budget at a later date.

“I think we need to look at whether we are overstating some of our budget items,” he said.

In response, Cr Speedie said council was in an “incredibly strong financial position”.

“If we look at our cash-holdings, also our rates in terms of what was originally budgeted have come in higher,” she said.

The federal government recently rejected a $10 million funding application for the Baranduda Fields sporting complex.

The new council will be briefed on the budget planning process over the next few months, and it can apply for a variation on its annual rate cap to fund infrastructure to the Essential Services Commission by January 31.