City of Greater Bendigo council budget 2021-22 list of winners and losers
Rate rises, grants and new events are on the horizon for Bendigo under a proposed budget. Find out if you are a winner or a loser in the budget.
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Ratepayers, landowners and some businesses will feel the squeeze as the City of Greater Bendigo scales back emergency pandemic measures as the region moves to recovery mode.
The Council on Monday handed down its proposed 2021-22 budget, foreshadowing rate increases, new developments and tourism ventures.
Mayor Jennifer Alden said the council knew there were businesses still struggling under the pandemic, but the budget had to move as the economy started to return to normal.
“As business conditions improve it is critical for us to continue to provide services to our community, which we cannot do without the revenue that comes from rates,” Cr Alden said.
“We have tried to find the balance between providing assistance on a needs-basis, and ensuring that we cover our costs and can continue to provide services in the long term.”
Last year the council delivered its pandemic budget with $2.9 million in estimated spending allocated for COVID relief measures.
In this year that package could decreased by $900,000, as the budget proposes many measures should become eligibility assessed.
Cr Alden said the council’s readiness to return of fees and charges was an optimistic sign.
“We know it has been an unprecedented and extremely difficult year for many people and businesses but we are hopeful economic condition will continue to improve this year,” she said.
Council will consult with the community until May 20, with the budget to be formally handed down on June 21.
Here are the winners and losers of the proposed City of Greater Bendigo 2021-22 Budget:
LOSER – RATEPAYERS
Households could be hit with a rate rise in the next financial year.
Director of corporate performance Andrew Cooney said the 1.5 per cent rate increase would mean a $29 per annum additional cost for the average ratepayer.
Mr Cooney said rates revenues made up more than 60 per cent of the council’s $208 million total income, and the rise was necessary to absorb increasing council costs amid lower forecast revenue.
The council said it would not increase the rates cap, which the overall base amount of rates collected for all properties.
Homeowners may be stung twice by the rates increase, as Bendigo’s rising property valuations means they could face even greater rates bill increases.
However, measures have been taken to protect ratepayers still struggling with the council reinstating the financial hardship policy.
This $275,000 policy allows ratepayers to defer rate payments without an interest penalty.
LOSER – BUSINESSES
Business confidence is up, but as the pandemic threat recedes so too are the council support measures.
The proposed budget will introduced eligibility requirements for support measures, including fee discounts.
The city will continue to support businesses experiencing financial hardship, but owners will have to prove their eligibility to access the relief for local laws, environmental and health fees.
The council has not released what the eligibility requirements will be.
Businesses will benefit from measures in the proposed budget as Bendigo looks to rebound from the crisis.
Eligible businesses will be able to apply for $729,000 in funding under the Business Innovation and Collaboration Grants, which provide funding for activities not possible under the pandemic.
The proposed budget will continue to remove fees for outdoor dining, A-frames and ‘goods on footpath’.
WINNER – TOURISM
Tourists will be encouraged to explore the wonders of Bendigo, with the council committing to an events and advertising blitz for the region.
The proposed budget has allocated $265,000 for additional events attraction, doubling the allocation compared to previous years.
The council said in pre-COVID years the event funding delivered 95 major events, with a $24 million benefit to the local economy.
“Investment in new events will attract more people to eat, stay and play in our region,” Cr Alden said.
To compliment the events budget expansion, the council will spend $155,000 on tourism ads to focus on Bendigo Art Gallery exhibitions, the region’s attractions and foodie reputation.
The tourism push will aim to boost numbers throughout the year, including off-peak travel times.
WINNER – FARMERS
Farmer will see a reduction in their rates, with the council proposing a 10 per cent reduction in costs.
After consultations with the agricultural advisers the council agreed to change the farm land differential rate from 85 per cent of the general rate to 75 per cent.
The council said this change would impact 1200 properties across the region.
Cr Alden said the change to the farming rate recognised the increasing value of agricultural land, due to mining activity and strategic land purchases.
“This is not necessarily reflective of farming businesses greater capacity to pay,” she said.
LOSER – VACANT LAND OWNERS
Council is trying to push vacant lands onto the market and spark a construction catch-up to Bendigo’s population boom.
The budget will increase vacant land rates by 75 per cent, from 125 per cent to 200 per cent of the general rate.
Cr Alden said the change was to discourage land banking and ensure new developments were built to meet increasing population demands.
“Additional vacant land that is brought to market can also assist with maintaining affordable house prices,” she said.
But the council said developers building on vacant land would also be hit with the 75 per cent rate increase.
WINNER – CONSTRUCTION WORKS
The council is getting its hard hats ready for a proposed $56 million spend on projects.
The proposed budget estimates that for every $100 spent, $28.56 would go towards capital works projects, including the Harry Trott Oval in Kennington, the Bendigo Botanic Gardens central hub and the $1.5 million redevelopment of the municipal baths area at Rosalind Park.
The Bendigo Botanic Gardens central hub will receive $650,000 as part of the $7 million development to connect the 19th century gardens to a modern development new centre.
The $7 million central hub project will transform the gardens, creating a visitor centre, cafe, amenities and landscaped wetlands, ponds and gardens.
WINNER – THE ENVIRONMENT
Trees, lights and electric cars could help Bendigo reach its aim of net-zero emissions by 2036.
The proposed budget has set aside $20,000 for a new tree-covered median strip at Brougham St and funding for trees, plants and other landscape improvements for Hargreaves Mall.
The council proposed an $80,000 investigation into reducing emissions from at the its health and leisure facility, the Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre.
Cr Alden said the council would continue to convert its street lights to LED an continue working on an State Government electric car charging station project.
LOSER – TIPS AND GARBAGE BINS
Bendigo residents will feel the pinch of a state government waste fee increase landing in their bins.
The proposed budget would increase the general waste and landfill charges by 18 per cent, due to changes in Environment Protection Authority fees.
The council said a property with a 140 litre bin would be hit with an additional $27 in their waste fees.
Recyclable waste and organic waste charges could also increase by 1.5 per cent.
“This rise reflect the cost of providing the service, council does not make a profit from waste services,” Cr Alden said.
However clean freaks may be pleased to hear the council will retain its high level of COVID-safe cleaning program into the next financial year.
WINNER – SPORTS, POOLS AND PARKS
Bendigo’s sporting fields will be a little greener, while its pools will get a new shine as the proposed budget promises upgrades to Bendigo, Kennington, Elmore, Goornong, Junortoun and Heathcote facilities.
A proposed partnership with Catherine McAuley College would provide the Junortoun community with a $1.5 million new recreational centre.
The project would deliver two sports ovals with synthetic pitches, two outdoor netball courts, carparking and a multipurpose community building.
The Catholic secondary school would also construct two indoor multipurpose courts and an indoor cricket training facility.
The council said if state government funding was secured it could approve a renewed Bendigo Skate Park at Ewing Park.
The region’s most popular pools, Faith Leech, Bendigo, and Brennan Park, Kennington pools are due for renewal works, with upgrades to the kiosks and change rooms, and minor structural and equipment improvements.
Elmore and Goornong pools will also have minor maintenance works.
The centre of the Tom Flood Sports Centre will be resurfaced, while the Kennington Pavilion Harry Trott Oval could get $3.2 million in upgrades.
Funding was committed to upgrade the White Hills Recreation Reserve pavilion and lighting at the Spring Gully soccer club.
Heathcote residents were the big winners in the regional recreation spend, with a new shelter for the dog park, new field lighting committed for Barrack Reserve, and funding for the Heathcote Bowls Club greens to be resurfaced.
The council said it would continue the fee freeze on swimming pool entry costs hiring of community facilities.
The $567,000 measure is estimated to impact 420 community fees.
WINNER – PEDESTRIANS AND BIKERS
The council has boosted its footpath budget by $1 million to create new paths in its 900km network.
The proposed budget increased the footpath allocation by a third, with an additional $1 million for new paths on top of the $2 million to upgrade existing footpaths.
Heathcote’s High St was specifically earmarked for renewal works from Barrack St to Jennings St.
WINNER – ROAD USERS
Drivers along Bendigo’s 300km road network could be the big budget winners, with more than $19 million allocated to roads, bridges and drainage works.
Council has proposed $15 million for roads, $1.2 million for bridges and $2.9 million on drainage works, with Allies Rd, Myers Flat, Kimbolton-Axedale Rd Rd, Eppalock and Strickland Rd in East Bendigo top of the list for reconstruction.
Rural drivers could see $3.2 million in benefits from gravel road re-sheeting across the region.
The proposed budget committed $1.2 million to upgrade Epsom’s Howard Street Bridge to widen the bridge, provide a pedestrian path, and improve its strength and durability.
Council said it would continue to freeze parking fees increases, and committed $70,000 for six new bus shelters.
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