Councillors voted to adopt the Baw Baw Shire’s draft budget as the 2012/13 budget at a meeting on Wednesday night.
Baw Baw Shire Finance Managed Dale Monk told GOLD 1242 Gippsland News’ Greg Allen the budget changed little during the public consultation period.
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“The only real change from the proposed budget is the reduced annual garbage charge from $392 to $348, which is reflective of savings in awarded kerbside garbage collection contract,” Mr Monk said.
The new budget has an overall increase in rate revenue of 11 per cent, with households experiencing an average rate rise of eight per cent.
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Commercial properties will see a rate rise of around 2.3 per cent.
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The budget vote was originally planned to take place last month, but was deferred by councillors to allow time for consideration of public submissions.
Baw Baw Shire Mayor Diane Blackwood says the budget was difficult.
“This has been a very difficult process and we were never going to make everyone happy,” Cr Blackwood said.
“But in the end we have opted to do the right thing even if it wasn’t the popular thing.”
Baw Baw Shire CEO Helen Anstis says the budget tackles difficult issues.
“There was so much to consider, so many public submissions, but ultimately Council has made a decision to tackle some very difficult issues,” Ms Anstis said.
In the last financial year there has been a 3.3 per cent increase in the number of rateable properties in the Baw Baw Shire.
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-Report by William Kulich
