The 2021/22 Benalla budget has been contentious with parts of the community, and a sitting councillor, questioning some of the ways funding has been allocated.
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However, in-spite of that it was passed at Wednesday's Council Meeting and, as always, there are sure to be parts of this budget that please some, and disappoint others.
The budget includes a record $13.389 million capital works program highlighted by a $3 million upgrade to the Benalla Art Gallery and $2.014 million redevelopment of the BenallaVisitor Information Centre.
Rates will rise 1.5 per cent as council looks to balance the books post COVID-19.
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There are a number of projects funded in there, too.
A massive lakeside development, new cinema, upgraded art gallery, toilets for the splash park and a host of upgrades and projects for Benalla are part of the 2020/2021 budget.
There is also funding for roads, footpaths, drainage, landscaping and more:
● $1.619m on roads and $128,000 on footpaths;
● $1.044m on drainage asset renewal and upgrades;
● $2.504m on landfill cell construction and rehabilitation;
● $350,000 on CBD landscape improvements; and
● $4.829m on the redevelopment of the Visitor Information Centre and Benalla Art Gallery.
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The budget passed by a six-to-one vote with Cr Punarji Hewa Gunaratne objecting.
This was not necessarily a shock with Cr Gunaratne speaking out against the building of a cinema as part of the lakeside precinct development, without more consultation, at last week’s council meeting.
That development also includes a modernised Costume and Kelly Museum, upgrades to the art gallery and completion of the Aboriginal garden.
All other councillors voted to pass the budget, with a few taking the time to explain why.
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Don Firth said he had been involved in many budgets in his time and was more than happy to recommend this one.
Peter Davis described the budget as the most important council document of the year.
“Without this, our staff, CEO, ourselves and our ratepayers can't move forward, and I'm very pleased to move this document,” Cr Davis said.
“There are so many positives.
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“I've never worked with a council that is so uniform, so positive...
“We get $3 million, and it's money that ratepayers don't have to contribute towards.
“We've got an art gallery that is 50 years old, it's going to get a bit of a facelift. It's going to get things that people... on (its) committee have been wanting for 15 years.
“It's fantastic that the car park in Mair St (has) works that we're going to do and the car park in Deny St is going to have an uplift in the next 12 months.
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“What's going on with this town is fantastic.
“We're always going to get our knockers... but we can't be everything to everybody and I think we're doing a damn good job of doing what we do.
“And we're doing that well... People want to live in Benalla.
Gail O'Brien said she was pleased with the budget.
“I think it's really pleasing that (we have) managed to get these grants from the government,” Cr O'Brien said.
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“These grants, especially to the art gallery... are fabulous. We have additions happening down at the... foreshore there.
“The splash park, the new visitor information centre, cinema and new historical museum.
“I think all of this will add to the heart of Benalla... And it will be a place that all of the community is able to access.”
Other highlights include waste management charges increasing by five per cent.
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No new borrowings are proposed for 2021/2022, and debt decreases by more than $1 million to $3.804 million by June 30, 2022.
Chief executive officer Dom Testoni said he was proud of how the budget delivered for the community.
“This is a responsible budget that allows us to continue to deliver our full range of services,” Mr Testoni said.
“We are grateful for funding from the Australian and Victorian governments.
“Their significant contribution to our capital works program has allowed us to grow our community assets while maintaining a fiscally responsible budget.’
● The 2021/2022 Budget can be viewed online at this link.
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