The Baw Baw Shire Council has warned of an increase in rates and the cost of rubbish collection in its upcoming budget.
Baw Baw Shire Council Mayor Diane Blackwood announced in a media release rates will increase by an estimated 6.9 per cent in the 2012-2013 financial year, and rubbish collection fees will rise by an undisclosed amount.
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“Unfortunately events beyond our control have added a significant cost to our budget. These are the closure and rehabilitation of the Trafalgar Landfill which we estimate at $2.8 Million, the unquantifiable impact of the forthcoming Carbon Tax, as well as the initial failure of $1.6 Million in Natural Disaster Funding,” Councillor Blackwood said.
“With the closure of the landfill we now need to pay for the disposal of municipal waste at alternate landfill sites. This is a direct cost to Council’s waste disposal program and will need to be recouped through a significant increase in the garbage charge. Equally, we have also lost all commercial income as a result of the closure.”
The change will see an increase in rates from 0.3848 cents in the dollar to 0.4114 cents.
The increase means a $27 per annum increase for a general rate property with a Capital Improvement Value of $100,000, rising from $384 this financial year to $411 next financial year.
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The budget, which will be released for public comment by the end of April, is expected to make up for some lost funds through cuts within the council.
“We are seeking administrative efficiencies from all of our Council departments in the new financial year to offset the level of rate rises as best we can. At the end of the day we are about delivering a balanced budget through responsible fiscal management that will serve our residents well,” Cr Blackwood said.
