Surf Coast budget reveals ‘record’ $52.26m spend on building works

Surf Coast Shire will spend a record sum on new buildings in the next financial year.

Surfcoast Shire Mayor Mike Bodsworth with Surfcoast Aquatic Centre Action Group president Colin Fowler at the opening of the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre, to be named Wurdi Baierr Aquatic and Recreation Cetnre. Picture: Alison Wynd

The Surf Coast Shire will commit a record sum to building projects next financial year, as its leaders boast a “balanced” budget.

Mayor Mike Bodsworth’s first budget at the helm was revealed on Saturday, forming part of the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting.

Headlining the budget was a $52.65m spend on capital works projects.

The figure, which includes new and ongoing projects, is an increase of almost $10m on last year’s budget.

Some of the projects funded by the $52.65m include ongoing works at Wurdi Baierr Aquatic and Recreation Centre as well as rehabilitation works at Anglesea Landfill, which is almost at capacity.

An unallocated cash surplus of $2.1m is projected despite the record spend. This is down from a surplus of $8.8m in last year’s budget.

In a joint statement, Mr Bodsworth and CEO Robyn Seymour said the budget had been developed “against a backdrop of rising costs and financial pressures being felt by communities and local governments across the country”.

“We’re striving to achieve a balance between helping this beautiful region to thrive and ensuring financial sustainability,” the statement read.

“Our operating costs are climbing, particularly as a result of revenue through rates not keeping pace with inflation.

“At the same time, we need to provide new facilities and infrastructure for our growing community while maintaining existing assets to a high standard.

“In consideration of these factors, we’ve delivered a financially responsible budget with a forecast unallocated cash surplus of $2.1 million.

“This surplus is essential to set us up for a sustainable future.”

Council will vote on whether or not it approves the budget at Tuesday night’s council meeting.

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Originally published as Surf Coast budget reveals ‘record’ $52.26m spend on building works