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May Meeting Wrap

Publish Date: 10 May 2019

Council’s May Ordinary Meeting was highlighted by the release of the draft Annual Budget 2019/20 for submission, applications for projects under the Drought Communities Programme, the making of the Meeting Procedure and Common Seal Local Law 2019 and the adoption of the Revenue and Rating Strategy 2019-23 and Rating Policy.

Whilst the agenda was brimming with highlights, each of these items in particular demonstrated the culmination of prolonged effort by Councillors and staff through thorough processes to compile these vital documents.

Council has placed its draft Annual Budget 2019/20 on exhibition and called for submissions. The draft 2019/20 Budget reflects Council’s commitment to long term financial sustainability and continued support for the community with a range of initiatives.

Key initiatives contained within the budget include the repayment of the 5-year, $7 million loan and an $11.4 million allocation for infrastructure and asset renewal and upgrades.

The budget is available for viewing on Council’s website with submissions to close on Friday 7 June 2019.

Council has made applications for $1 million worth of projects across the Shire under the Drought Communities Programme. The applications include a project in each of Buloke’s ten townships as well as a small halls and fire sheds program and an event to be held in partnership with the Birchip Cropping Group.   

A funding application for $100,000 will be submitted to the Sport and Recreation Victoria Country Football and Netball Program for the redevelopment of the oval at the Birchip Recreation Reserve.  The project has been strongly advocated for by the Birchip Leisure Centre Committee, Birchip-Watchem Football Club and Birchip Forum. The project, with an estimated cost of $150,000, will include re-levelling of the oval, sowing with drought hardy grasses and a new automatic sprinkler system. $50,000 has been committed by the Birchip-Watchem Football Club in support of this application.

The Meeting Procedure and Common Seal Local Law 2019 has been made. Council moved a motion in February 2017 to review the Local Law, the request highlighted that some practices during Council Meetings were not in line with the Meetings Procedure Local Law.

The purpose of this Local Law is to provide a mechanism to facilitate the good government of the Council through its formal meeting procedure to ensure effective and efficient Council decisions are made in a manner which acknowledges the role of local government within the Australian system of government. 

Council has adopted its Revenue and Rating Strategy 2019-23 and Rating Policy. The Revenue and Rating Strategy, and Rating policy, will allow Council to meet best practice guidelines for Local Government.

The purpose of the strategy is to set out the system of rates and charges adopted by Council for the purposes of distributing the rates burden across the municipality on a fair and equitable basis.

Council will fly the rainbow flag for the week started Monday 13 May until Friday 17 May 2019 in support of the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transfobia (IDAHOBIT) which is May 17.

Representatives from the Engage! Youth Program recently presented to Councillors, highlighting the challenges faced by younger members of the LGBTIQ community growing up within rural communities.

Council will take the opportunity to support the LGBTIQ community by actively participating and promoting IDAHOBIT.

The minutes and related documents from the meeting will all be made available on Council’s website.

The next Ordinary Meeting of Council will be held from 7.00pm on Wednesday 12 June 2019 in the Wycheproof Supper Room.

End release 
For further information contact Manager Customer Engagement, Travis Fitzgibbon on 03 5478 0181 or tfitzgibbon@buloke.vic.gov.au

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