BULOKE Shire’s draft council plan has called for a revenue increase of almost $800,000 a year from rates and charges by 2021.
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Buloke Shire Council has planned to become much more dependent on non-recurring grants for both operating expenses and capital works.
Employee costs will increase by more than $872,000 from 2017 to 2021 but the materials and services spending level will remain almost unchanged.
Council has anticipated a surplus every year but the levels will shrink from more than $4 million to $2.9 million over four years.
The draft plan noted a number of strengths in Buloke Shire, including the highest volunteer and and sports group membership rate in the state, diversity of agriculture, tourism and streetcapes.
“Buloke is served by the Calder and Sunraysia highways, making it an easy weekend drive from Melbourne,” the report stated.
Ageing infrastructure, poor internet and education levels were listed among the challenges.
Buloke mayor David Pollard said the draft plan set out the goals and priorities for the council over the next four years.
“The plan which has already undertaken a high level of community consultation through various channels has been moulded by the feedback received so far,” he said.
“I urge all of our community to take a look at the plan and see if it matches their expectations of council over the next four years.
“This is a plan for what council will deliver and how we will do it over that period of time.”
Cr Pollard said the plan centred on five themes:
Themes include delivering services in a financially viable well; building a health and active community; diversifying and enchaining the economy; responding to and enhancing built and natural environments; and supporting councillors, staff, volunteers and the community to make informed and transparent decisions.
Buloke Shire councillors voted to display the draft council plan for public feedback during their May meeting.
Cr Pollard said people could go to buloke.vic.gov.au for more information on making a submission and to inspect the draft council plan.
Hard copies can also be obtained from Buloke Shire’s Wycheproof office at 367 Broadway.
Submissions close at 4pm on June 12. Buloke Shire Council will hear and consider submissions at its meeting on June 14.
Councillors will vote on whether to adopt the council plan 2017-2021 at a special meeting on June 21.