The draft budget was released by council at its meeting on May 4 in St Arnaud. The draft budget recomends an increase in rates and charges of five per cent in the next financial year.

Budget documents have now been made available for residents to view.

Highlights of the budget include stage one of the St Arnaud Civic Precinct including Town Hall lift, community space, kitchen, toilets and a studio space.

The budget also contains funding for completion of the Western Highway Community Precinct development in Stawell, the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory, safety and maintenance works at the Stawell Leisure Complex and the roads and bridges program.

The draft budget document is available to view at council's customer service centres in Stawell and St Arnaud, as well as online at www.ngshire.vic.gov.au

Council is encouraging residents to read the budget document thoroughly and to complete a survey regarding its contents.

Responses to the survey will assist council in its fight to secure better funding for local government from both the state and federal governments.

Cuts to various funding programs, combined with a fear of rate capping by the state government, has led to council being forced to adopt the five per cent rates and charges increase.