A $1.65 million start to the Beechworth to Yackandandah cycle project is the big ticket item of Indigo Council’s 2018-19 draft budget.
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The Victorian government announced $6 million funding last year, part which will be spent – with a $100,000 council contribution – in the coming financial year.
The cycle project will be part of a total capital works program of $8.2 million, but mayor Jenny O’Connor said she was most pleased the budget achieved the council’s the long-term goal of returning to a balanced cash operating position.
A surplus of $1.2 million was predicted for 2018-19 in the draft budget to go before Indigo councillors at Tuesday meeting.
“Council is in a strong financial position with a financially sound future. We continue to tighten our belts in order to reach this position,” Cr O’Connor said.
“While the 2.25 per cent rates cap set by the state government constrains what we can do, the budget allows for some new initiatives linked to our council plan.”
Council is in a strong financial position with a financially sound future.
- Mayor Jenny O'Connor
She said the council had adhered to a set of guiding principles over the past few years to ensure the 2018-19 budget had no new borrowings, looked after what it already had and kept its expenses controlled.
Other big projects funded for the next 12 months include $64,000 to complete Rutherglen streetscape works, $460,000 to redevelop the Beechworth Railway Goods Shed, $380,000 for the Chiltern netball courts and $20,000 for new water bubblers.
The council will also push ahead with its controversial plan to transition aged care services to a new provider this year, after what the budget referred to as a “difficult decision”.
Seven information sessions will be held on the draft starting, starting in Beechworth on May 3 from 5pm.