Published on Friday, 31 July 2020 at 10:55:05 AM
Councillors held a Special Meeting on 29 July 2020 to approve the 2020-2021 budget.
The Shire of Chittering commenced the 2020-2021 budget process in April 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and with due recognition of the State Departments’ directive to suspend long term planning and budgeting in favour of Economic Recovery. The budgeting process and Council engagement was transformed to ensure complete transparency and knowledge sharing throughout all engagements.
The approach towards the budget and sharing of information was different this year, and the Shire is proud to present a budget that reflects a 0% increase to the Rate in the Dollar (RID). The Shire’s executive management team prepared this budget with no administrative fees to ratepayers should they wish to enter into a payment arrangement. The Shire also offers more flexible payment arrangements, with the overall intention to work with all ratepayers to help them meet their rates obligations.
Council decided to reduce the rate for Councillor Sitting Fees and Allowances from previous years by 10%.
Council also decided to leave the Landfill Access/Maintenance Rate unchanged at $60. Commercial fees will continue to be charged for all rubbished deemed to not be domestic waste.
The Shire’s Operating Revenue is budgeted at $8.05m; including $5.92m in rates, $1.29m in fees and charges, $1.05m in operating grants, subsidies and contributions, $128,000 in interest earnings, $98,000 in other revenue and $6,300 in service charges. The Shire is expected to receive $6.65m in non-operating grants, subsidies and contributions.
Highlights of the budget include:
- Continued funding for Education Scholarships, Seniors Events, Youth Services (including youth events, Youth Development Program, school holiday activities, youth sponsorship and youth chaplaincy), Community Events (including Wear Ya Wellies, Taste of Chittering and Shire support for the Volunteer Day/Week Promotions)
- Ongoing provision of community grants and sponsorships for community groups
- Continued support of the Chittering Landcare
- Brockman Centre accessible paths and parking bays
- Stage 1 Clune to Brockman Wheatbelt Bike Network Path (share path)
- John Glenn Park Hard Cover
- Needoonga Lake Viewing Landing and Path
- Muchea Clubroom Redevelopment
- Chittering Community Centre
- Funding for various Australia Day Events throughout the Shire
- Continuation of the Community Courtesy Bus Program
- Commence community engagement on a Mountain Bike Park
- Council funded roadworks at:
- Archibald Street, Muchea
- Teatree Road, Bindoon
- Ridgetop Ramble, Bindoon
- Barn Road, Bindoon, Bindoon
- Owen Road, Bindoon
- Regional Road Group (RRG) works on Muchea East Road
- Roads to Recovery works on Chittering Road, Lower Chittering
- Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Grant works on Davis Road, Chittering
- Black Spot Roadworks continue on:
- Mooliabeenee Road, Bindoon
- Teatree Road, Bindoon
- Footpath and Cycleway works on the Clune to Brockman Trail
- Upgrades/Maintenance to walk trails:
- Blackboy Ridge Trail carpark, foot trail and fire mitigation
- Bridge works on Chittering Valley Road and Chittering Road
- Funding to the Chittering Tourism Association has been diverted to the employment of an internal Tourism Officer
- Continued support of the Taste of Chittering Event
- Continuation of the Shop Local Campaign
- Funding for volunteer honorarium to be paid for weekend-support of the tourism centre
- Completion of the Financial Management Review
- Review of the Long Term Financial Plan, Corporate Business Plan and all supporting plans
- Continued focus on Fire, Safety and Animal Control activities
- Ends -
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