Today Council will discuss the adoption of the 2019/2020 budget; the budget process being perhaps the most important responsibility given to your elected representatives.  
 
The budget sets the platform for council expenditure over the next 12 months and determines what programs and infrastructure projects will be delivered for the benefit of our community right across our region.  
 
This budget, like previous budgets during this term of council, will continue to deliver on initiatives around rates, roads and rubbish.  To that extent, $21 million will be allocated to the road network, pathways and bridges, $12 million will be budgeted towards waste and recycling operations and $21 million towards Council’s water and sewerage operations all while keeping the increase in rates across all rateable categories at 1.8 per cent.  
 
This will mean that just under half of the region’s ratepayers will have a rate increase of just $1.00 per week or less.  The 10 per cent early payment on general rates remains, as does the $160 rebate for our pensioners.  
 
This budget will also deliver much needed services to support our libraries and cultural initiatives, our environment, and continue to support social cohesion by strongly supporting our community groups through event sponsorship and assistance grants.  
 
I believe this budget is fiscally responsible and will set the financial platform for our region for the next 12 months.

Mayor Mick Curran