General News
2 May, 2023
3.5 per cent rate rise tipped
RATEPAYERS could see their annual Loddon Shire bill increase 3.5 per cent. Councillors yesterday afternoon were expected to send the draft 2023-2024 budget out for community comment until mid next month. The budget includes a 3.5 per cent rate rise...
RATEPAYERS could see their annual Loddon Shire bill increase 3.5 per cent.
Councillors will send the draft 2023-2024 budget out for community comment until mid next month.
The budget includes a 3.5 per cent rate rise with waste collection charges tipped to jump three per cent to keep the service cost neutral.
The proposed rate increase will keep Loddon Shire debt-free. Rates and flood recovery grants are expected to boost income almost $15 million to $51.41 million.
Mayor Dan Straub told councillors: “This (rate rise) is in line with the Fair Go Rates System which has capped rate increases by Victorian councils.
“We have consistently heard that council’s services are valued by the community and that council also needs to be financially responsible. Council has continued ... identifying savings and organisational improvements that provide increased value for money to ratepayers.”
Cr Straub said: “We have also heard that our community wants to recover from the October 2022 floods and increase our mitigation against and resilience to future flood events.”
The monthly council meeting yesterday was also discussing a recommendation on new fees that are also tipped to rise 3.5 per cent.
These include planning and building permits, hall and facility hire, health and food premises and unit rentals.
The council was also asked to adopt increased fees for caravan parks at Bridgewater and Wedderburn. Tenders for long-term leases of the parks close tomorrow after being re-opened earlier this month.
Fee increases have not been recommended for the Loddon’s five swimming pools.