Geelong council releases ‘sombre and testing’ draft budget for community feedback

One Geelong councillor says City Hall’s next budget will be a test of chief executive Ali Wastie’s ‘financial credentials’.

City Hall chief executive Ali Wastie and Mayor Trent Sullivan are encouraging the public to have their say on the 2024/25 Geelong council budget.

Geelong’s second most senior council figure has labelled City Hall’s draft budget for the 2024/25 financial year “sombre and testing”.

Deputy mayor Anthony Aitken spoke at length at Tuesday night’s meeting in Portarlington, where councillors unanimously endorsed the draft budget for public consultation.

The document is far less controversial than last year when there was significant blowback about proposed library closures, cuts to other key services, and the deferral of capital works.

A $2.1m operating surplus is forecast, with residential rates expected to bring in $195m, an increase of 4.5 per cent.

Rates on vacant, farm and mixed used land are also expected to rise at a similar level, but City Hall has been able to meet the state government’s 2.75 per cent rate cap by reducing commercial rates by 5 per cent.

It is hoped this will bring more investment to the region.

The waste charge, which does not form part of the rate cap, will increase 3.5 per cent to $473.25.

A proposed capital works program totalling $210.5m in 2024/25 and $752.6m over the next four years will result in new or improved sporting facilities, community centres, parks and reserves across the region.

Major projects added or reinstated to the four-year program include an upgrade to Landy Field, the redevelopment of Chilwell Library, female-friendly change room upgrade at Queens Park, and a new bike park in Ocean Grove.

Mr Aitken said the budget was a test of chief executive Ali Wastie’s financial credentials.

“This is going to be a real challenge for Ali to be able to deliver in the (financial) environment we are operating in,” he said.

Mr Aitken said City Hall was a “$672m business” that could have its wafer-thin surplus become a deficit through “one single weather event”.

He referenced “sombre” because the budget “laid bare the difficult financial position that the council is operating under”.

“And that’s going to continue for the next four years, too,” he said.

Anthony Aitken and Trent Sullivan. Picture: Supplied.

Under the draft budget, Ms Wastie will be paid $543,000 next financial year, rising to $620,000 in 2027/28.

She said the budget maintained or increased investment in “all of the areas we believe our community sees as very important”.

“We are continuing to focus on the things that are core to our role as a local government, while also making budget decisions that highlight our aim to cement Geelong as Australia’s premier regional city,” she said.

Belinda Moloney said the document was being released in trying times as the cost of living continued to rise.

“I think this is a bit of a global Ponzi scheme that is going on to squeeze all the money out of us, perhaps,” she said.

“It’s a real tragedy, but a lot of people are doing it really tough and our council budget is indicative of our financial sustainability commitment to the community.”

Mayor Trent Sullivan said the budget would help council remain financially sustainable.

“We’re pleased that we’ve managed to deliver a small operating surplus while budgeting for a long list of exciting community facilities, continuing to support services our residents really value, and making important investments for our future,” he said.

Councillors urged the community to have their say before consultation ended on May 22, including at a series of in-person sessions over the next fortnight.

The final budget will be presented to council for consideration at its June meeting.

Originally published as Geelong council releases ‘sombre and testing’ draft budget for community feedback