Seymour and district community members are encouraged to have their say on the 2021-22 draft budget that divided Mitchell Shire councillors at a recent meeting.
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The draft budget was released for public consultation on March 29, but councillors Bill Chisholm and Louise Bannister voted against the document.
Cr Chisholm said there was a lack of money being spent on roads in the shire and Cr Bannister had concerns about the transparency and accessibility of the draft budget.
The $125 million draft budget will see a new $21.25 million capital works program, with a further $16.51 million carrying forward from current projects.
Footpaths and cycleways will receive $1.43 million of the capital works budget and waste management will get $4.26 million under the draft.
Information technology has been allocated $1.51 million, buildings $1.07 million, recreation, leisure and community facilities $2.73 million and parks, open space and streetscapes $1.02 million.
A further $180,000 will be spent on library book renewal and strategic land acquisition will receive $350,000.
Cr Chisholm was dissatisfied with the $5.94 million allocated to roads and bridges and encouraged the community to voice its opinions.
“I’ve delved into this budget long and hard and I wouldn’t be putting this out to the general public,” he said.
‘We currently have 689 km of bitumen roads, 720 km of gravel road and 148 km of fire access track that council has to pay to maintain.
“We have the astronomical figure of $200,000 that we’re going to spend on upgrading (unsealed) rural roads. Anyone that lives in rural area or fronts a gravel road would have to be horrified at this.
“There is no way known I will support this. It is good it goes out for public consultation because it’s time the public stand up and have a say.
“All the community satisfaction surveys highlight the need for adequate road funding and this budget, in my opinion, doesn’t deliver.”
Cr Bannister said she was concerned about a lack of detail in the budget and questioned if people with little time or those unfamiliar with accounting would understand it.
“I believe it is not as clear and transparent as it could be. There are several items in which I believe further detail is needed so the community know how their rates are being spent,” she said.
“We have a building fit out and renewal program of $465,000, yet no clarification of which buildings. We have a fleet renewal program of more than $1 million, but no clarification of what vehicles, plant, machinery or equipment is being renewed, nor how much is being spent on fuel and maintenance.
“For the community to have confidence and provide comment, we need more detail which will provide greater transparency and accountability.”
Cr Bannister also said she was concerned about the increasing rates and services fees during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“An increase of 1.5 per cent may not seem much to some, but this will be on top of revaluations,” she said.
“Many are suffering financially from the pandemic and with house prices only going up I imagine so will valuations, resulting in the possibility of significant rate rises for some.
“An increase in service fees to an already financially strained community does not seem right.
“I acknowledge the budget is a balancing act and a hard one at that. We need to ensure we can fund the necessary services and infrastructure our community needs now and into the future.
“But without further clarity and transparency ... I cannot in good conscience allow this document to go out for community consultation.”
Cr Annie Goble stressed the document was a draft budget and encouraged the community to ask questions and make submissions.
“The draft budget will be available for inspection at all council service centres and on the council website,” she said.
“I fully understand what Cr Bannister and Cr Chisholm said. I think it is a great suggestion that the community make a submission because this is a draft.
“It's the community's budget and they have the opportunity to influence it.”
Cr Rob Eldridge said the community had the ability to influence the outcome of the draft budget.
“One of the things to be said about the draft budget process is this is our best effort to date. It’s not a final document,” he said.
“We need to get it out to the community to have their input. I urge everyone to come along to the hearing and have your say because it helps council focus on what is important to the community.”
The draft budget can be viewed at council service centres and online at engagingmitchellshire.com/budget-2020-2021
Submissions close May 4 and a special budget submissions hearing meeting will be held May 24.
Journalist