The Draft Budget will be available on Council’s website here from Friday 22 April until Thursday 26 May 2022, and community members have the opportunity to provide their submissions on the document during this time.
The Budget sets where Council will allocate funding for the provision of Capital Works and delivery of services for the next financial year. Feedback on the Draft Budget is encouraged and welcomed. The community can influence the allocation of funds by making a submission to Council on what services, programs and facilities they think should receive funding.
Mayor, Councillor Kim O’Keeffe said the 2022/2023 Draft Budget takes into account the activities and initiatives which contribute to achieving the strategic objectives specified in the 2021-2025 Council Plan and 2021-2031 Financial Plan.
“The Draft Budget proposes a capital works program of $49.77 million. This will focus heavily on investing in our existing assets with 89 per cent of the capital works program to be spent on upgrade and renewal projects, including $6.15 million on the Knight and Hawdon Street upgrade and $5.21 million on the Fryers and Railway Parade upgrade,” she said.
The 2022/2023 Draft Budget continues to prioritise our environment by implementing actions from Council’s Climate Change Action Plan to work towards the goal of zero carbon emissions by 2030. The Draft Budget also ensures the ongoing delivery of essential services as well as the resumption of important community assets and programs such as Aquamoves, Active Living, SAM, Riverlinks, KidsTown and the Shepparton Sports Stadium.
With the document now ready for community feedback and input, Cr O’Keeffe encouraged locals to speak up and have their say.
“This is a great opportunity for community members to have their say on how the budget should be allocated. Council has consistently received valuable feedback from our community regarding budget allocations and know that this year will be no exception,” she said.
“Over the years, Council has actioned this feedback in supporting such projects as the Aquamoves outdoor pool heating, Hastie Street Tatura pedestrian crossing and Tatura Museum Extension. We truly value what our community has to say and I encourage everyone to take this time to provide a submission. Now is the time to have your say.”
Community submissions are open until 5pm on Thursday 26 May. Submissions can be made:
- Online via Council’s Shaping Greater Shepp website, at shaping.greatershepparton.com.au
- In writing to Locked Bag 1000, Shepparton, 3631. All submissions must include contact details of the submitter to allow Council to respond.
- By requesting an appointment with Council’s Manager Finance and Rates
- Or, by contacting Council at council@shepparton.vic.gov.au or at 90 Welsford Street, Shepparton to discuss other options
Public submissions received will be heard and considered by Council at a briefing on Tuesday 31 May. For further information, contact Council on (03) 5832 9700.
