Council is required under Section 129 of the Local Government Act 1989 to give public notice of the preparation of the proposed budget and provide an opportunity for residents to make submissions on the document.

There have been a number of external factors we have had to consider in this year's draft budget such as rate capping, funding and renewal of assets, our varied community and complications relating to COVID-19 and associated funding.

Internally, the main impacts on our budget have been obligations required under the Council Plan, salary costs relevant to our Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) and an investigation into shared services for a more viable future.

OTHER NEWS:

After the budget has been adopted in principle, there is a four week period when the community may comment. I urge everyone in the shire to spend some time reading through the draft budget.

If you have questions or queries regarding the budget or the budget process you are very much encouraged to have your say during this period and we welcome your feedback.

The council budget is your budget too and the people of our shire are a very important part of the budget process.

Submissions regarding the proposed budget from the community are to be received by close of business 6 August 2020.

You may also wish to be heard in person by council regarding your submission to the budget process.

Any submission on any proposal contained in the draft budget will be heard by council at a Council Meeting to be held at 12.30pm on 10 August 2020 at the Stawell Town Hall.

Submissions regarding the 2020-21 public Draft Budget can be made via the online submission form at www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/budget, via post to PO Box 580 Stawell or email to ngshire@ngshire.vic.gov.au.

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