Council is changing the way they do community consultation for next year’s Budget and have included a community feedback phase ahead of the document being drafted early next year.
Mayor Cr Kim O’Keeffe said Council decided to hear from the community before the draft Budget was created to better understand the needs of residents and find out what the priorities are in the next financial year.
“Community feedback is an extremely important part of compiling Council’s Budget each year. For the 2022/2023 Budget we decided to change the way we do things and give the community a chance to have their say ahead of the document being drafted,” she said.
“We want to know what people would like to see funded, whether they know of any upgrades to infrastructure or community facilities across the municipality, or would like funding for major programs to better our region. Community feedback is so valuable to us and I encourage everyone to have their say now.”
Each year the Budget funds and supports many different services and programs along with a large capital works program. Council have developed an online survey via the Shaping Greater Shepp website which asks locals questions about this funding to find out which services and programs are most used. The survey also asks residents which capital works programs they would most like to see funds allocated to.
Previous feedback received on Council Budgets have resulted in funding for several major developments and upgrades across the municipality including the Aquamoves outdoor pool heating which was funded in the 2018/2019 Budget, Hastie Street, Tatura pedestrian crossing which was funded in the 2021/2022 Budget and the Tatura Museum Extension which was funded in the 2017/2018 Budget.
Cr O’Keeffe urged the community to think about what they would like to see funded in Greater Shepparton and share their ideas and feedback with Council via the online survey.
“Once the community have had their say, Council will go through each of the submissions and assess whether the ideas and feedback can be included in the 2022/2023 or future Budgets,” she said.
“The information we receive will then help us draft the document before it is put to Councillors for consultation. The more feedback we receive the better we will understand the community’s aspirations for our region.”
The 2022/2023 Budget consultation survey is open to all Greater Shepparton residents from today, Monday 15 November, until Friday 17 December. Visit Shaping Greater Shepparton to view the survey and have your say.
For more information or to arrange a time to chat with Council’s Manager Finance and Rates, phone 5832 9700.
