Meander Valley Council delivers measured budget amidst rising costs of service
Posted on June 29, 2023
Council's 2023-24 budget "a challenging one to deliver"
Meander Valley Council adopted its 2023-24 budget at a special meeting of Council on 27 June.
Mayor Wayne Johnston said that financial pressures for ratepayers and the significant rise in the cost for Council to deliver services had made this year’s budget a challenging one to deliver.
“These are difficult economic times for many sectors and despite budgeting for an operating loss, we have elected to absorb some of the rising costs to minimise the impacts on our ratepayers. That said, Council must still act to remain a viable business and provider of services.”
Council’s budget incorporates a $16.4m capital works program that includes renewal of road, bridge and stormwater infrastructure, new intersection designs for Meander Valley Road at Hadspen and the development of new footpaths along Church Street in Carrick.
New community recreation infrastructure also features, as does a number of projects carried over from the previous financial year including the development of the Deloraine Squash Courts and progression of the Deloraine Racecourse Recreational Precinct.
Investment in more sustainable waste management is also a major consideration. Mayor Johnston said the cost of waste management to Council has continued to rise.
“The price of comingled recycling disposal has increased from $160 per tonne to $310 per tonne within a short period of time. We have absorbed some of these costs and will be operating our waste facilities at a loss this year, but despite this we have still been unable to avoid increasing the waste management charge.”
“We have made a significant investment in waste in this year. Upgrades to the Deloraine and Cluan facilities will include the development of a weighbridge and other infrastructure to support residents to sort more and help them manage the costs associated with disposing of their household waste.”
“We have worked hard to deliver a budget that is as equitable as possible and the increase to our general rate will be 7.9%. However, we will still be delivering services with a manageable deficit of $730,200 for the 2023-24 financial year. This reflects not only increased costs but the legacy of the zero-rate increase applied during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, Council remains in an enviable financial position with a return to surplus in forward years.”
Meander Valley Council currently has the lowest average general rate in the north of the State and the second lowest in Tasmania and it is anticipated that this will continue in the 2023-24 financial year.
More detail about this year's budget can be found in the minutes of the 27 June, Special Meeting of Council
Latest posts
-
Appointment of Meander Valley Council General Manager
28 Aug 2023 -
Residents save over 1,200 tonnes of organic material from landfill as Council celebrates FOGO anniversary
23 Aug 2023 -
Cup fever descends on Deloraine to help raise much needed funds
23 Aug 2023 -
It’s LIFT off for locals in Meander Valley
17 Aug 2023 -
Get behind our community by getting behind the wheel!
02 Aug 2023 -
Council votes to retain our community and oppose forced State Government changes
26 Jul 2023
Archives
- 2023 (15)
-
2022 (34)
- December (2)
- November (1)
- October (5)
- Free forums to help Meander Valley businesses grow their operations
- Two flood recovery drop-in sessions organised for Meander Valley residents needing assistance
- Mayor Johnston urges residents to be prepared amid severe weather forecast
- Dogs, art and a giant wombat? There’s something for everyone at Meander Valley’s Art Award!
- Council on the lookout for Meander Valley heroes
- September (4)
- August (1)
- July (4)
- June (5)
- Council is preparing for the implementation of the Tasmanian Government’s Landfill Levy
- Council’s 2022-23 budget reflects the challenging economic influences
- From July 2022, Hadspen, Traveller's Rest and Prospect Vale residents will join Blackstone Heights in receiving a FOGO collection service.
- Waiting on grass to grow: Anticipation for Meander Valley Pump Track builds
- The start of a new era for Bracknell Memorial Hall
- May (5)
- Meander Valley Art Award to re-emerge with new categories and sponsor opportunities
- Council leads change for sustainable waste management in Meander Valley
- ‘Better Together’ Meander Valley celebrates National Volunteer Week
- Council waiting to hear what the election will bring for Meander Valley.
- Prison announcement provides more certainty for the Meander Valley community
- April (2)
- February (3)
- January (2)
- 2021 (24)
-
2020 (19)
- December (1)
- November (2)
- October (6)
- Meander Valley Council rolls out grant and sponsorship opportunities
- Grant funds flow for small business recovery in Meander Valley
- Intersection safety improvements for Country Club Avenue, Prospect Vale
- COVID-19 Information & Support
- Doing the 'right thing' over 1,000 times a week!
- Room to move for Deloraine Squash Club
- September (5)
- July (2)
- June (1)
- May (1)
- March (1)