East Gippsland Shire Council is investing more than $58 million in capital works in 2020/21 to drive the economy, support bushfire and pandemic recovery, and provide the region with critical infrastructure and services.

Mayor Cr John White said Council had designed a draft budget that was both empathetic to the community in such challenging times of drought, bushfire and the pandemic, and financially responsible now and into the future. The Draft Budget is now out for public comment.

“In my eyes, this budget is unprecedented in terms of the size of the capital works program, no rise in the rate and municipal charge collect, and in the context of what our community is experiencing,” Cr White said.

• $58.6 million capital works program
• $1,250 capital works spend per resident
• 38% of capital works externally funded
• No increase in rates or municipal charge
• Bushfire and Commercial/Industrial rate waivers and rebates
• Budget shaped to include recovery projects
• Existing user fees and charges remain the same as 2019/20
• Commercial/Industrial rebate of $1M
• 80% Farm rate differential
• Services and maintenance levels maintained

“This budget supports the community and gives us a significant opportunity to rebuild our economy through a capital works program that will stimulate the jobs in construction, business and tourism,” Cr White said.

“Council’s own $32.6M capital works investment receives great bang for buck. External (government) funding of more than $19M leverages the investment. This is a product of strong Council planning and advocacy on behalf of our community.

“The projects include new assets that will encourage visitation, projects that support business, enhanced recreational facilities, and a continued focus on renewing and improving public infrastructure such as roads, bridges and buildings.”

• Lucknow Recreation Reserve Changerooms Upgrade ($2.3M)
• Road reseal program, including dust suppression ($4.6M)
• Upgrade of Moroney Street, Bairnsdale ($1.0M)
• Omeo Valley Road major rehabilitation ($1.0M)
• Gravel Road Renewal Program ($1.2M)
• Jemmy's Point - Stage 2 ($0.8M)
• Eagle Point Foreshore Hub ($1.2M)
• Genoa Pedestrian Bridge ($1.5M)
• Bullock Island Bridge ($2.2M)
• Hospital Creek Wairewa Road Bridge replacement ($0.8M)
• Turners Road Bridge, Deptford ($0.3M)
• WORLD Sporting Precinct Stage 1 ($5.4M)
• Council building renewals ($1.0M)
• Lakes Entrance streetscape works ($1.1M)
• Omeo Mountain Bike Trails ($1.9M)
• Information technology systems renewals and upgrades ($3.7M)
• Bairnsdale Landfill Cell 4 construction ($3.0M)
• Lakes Entrance Transfer Station Upgrade ($2.4M)
• Bullock Island Masterplan implementation ($2.6M)

“Many of these projects are designed to create places that people want to visit or live nearby. For instance, the Genoa Pedestrian Footbridge, destroyed in the summer’s bushfires, is a key visitor experience piece of infrastructure and key asset for the Genoa and district community. As are projects like the Jemmy’s Point Lookout and Bullock Island at Lakes Entrance, and Omeo MTB Trails,” Cr White said.

“The WORLD Sporting Precinct in Bairnsdale and Eagle Point hub are projects that will enhance community life, attract residents, and give another reason to visit.”

The Mayor said infrastructure works on roads, bridges, landfill (maintenance and renewal) and adaptation projects in an environmental context. Many of these projects have links to bushfire recovery, which the budget also picks up. Council also provides a five per cent weighting towards local content, which sees most capital projects awarded locally.

“The benefit of the works program in economic terms is, conservatively, almost double when you factor in construction jobs, supply chain jobs, increased business activity, and consumer benefit. This is one of the strengths of the budget when considering our current economic climate,” Cr White said.

These initiatives build on Council’s proactive measures to support communities directly and the advocacy for external government funding to support projects and ratepayers. This includes additional financial assistance both in the 2019/20 year and in this draft budget 2020/21 to assist ratepayers.

• Rate waivers for all ratepayers whose main dwelling was destroyed in the 2019/20 bushfires for the 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22 years. (If the dwelling is rebuilt or sold during the year the waiver will only apply up to the date the dwelling is able to be occupied or the date of sale.)
• A rebate to all Commercial/Industrial ratepayers of $1M in 2019/20 year and a further $1M in the 2020/21 year, to be proportionally allocated to each eligible ratepayer.
• Waiving many fees and charges for part of the year for health registrations, planning permits and leases.
• Establishment of a new Bushfire Recovery Directorate to provide support and assistance to the community in its recovery.

• $1.51M for farm rate relief (paid in January 2020)

Draft Budget 2020/21 submissions close on Friday, July 24 at 12.00 pm. Submissions will be heard by Council on Tuesday, August 11. Council will consider adopting the documents, with or without amendment, at its Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday, August 25 at 6.00 pm.