Hindmarsh Shire Council presented its draft 2018-19 budget at a meeting on Wednesday.

Council plans to increase general rates by 2.25 per cent. This is in line with the state government’s Fair Go Rates System, which has capped Victorian council rates increases to the same figure.

Last year, the Essential Services Commission granted council approval to increase rates by four per cent.

The 2018-19 budget will see kerbside waste and recycling collection charges increase by $21, to reflect the rising costs of waste management and global recycling challenges.

Council will also introduce a general waste charge – to be phased in over three years – to cover waste costs not covered by the kerbside charge. The charge will be $9 for 2018-19.

Among the community and tourism projects and groups that council will allocate money to in 2018-19 include Nhill’s new skate park – $100,000; Hindmarsh Youth Council – $10,000; and the Rainbow Desert Enduro – $10,000.

Council will spend $100,000 of its infrastructure budget to replace the Dimboola sport stadium’s roof, and more than $730,000 for four road reconstruction projects near Broughton, Katyil, Rainbow and Netherby.

Council will also complete a $66,000 project to reseal Bongiorno’s Carpark in the centre of Nhill.

Council’s community and corporate services director Monica Revell said the 2018-19 budget provided for a broad range of services, programs and infrastructure projects.

Cr Rob Gersch said it was a responsible budget.

“We’ve spent a lot of time on this. It’s not going to please everybody,” he said.

“Being at the Rural Summit last week showed things are not easy out there in local government, especially on the small rural councils.

“I believe they are resilient and responsible. We are continuing to cut our costs.”