A budget focused on maintenance and repair rather than new infrastructure has been proposed by Murrumbidgee Council.
Almost half of council’s rates income - $47 of every $100 - will be spent on road repairs in the coming financial year.
“Responsible and sustainable fiscal management while achieving the best outcomes for the community is, as always, our key criteria in developing the budget,” Murrumbidgee Mayor Ruth McRae said.
Council plans to deliver more than $7.2 million in road repairs and maintenance and will also introduce food and garden organics (FOGO) and recycling across the council area. This means a $330 per year waste charge for residents.
A rate increase of 3.7 per cent, capped by the NSW Government’s Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) will also be imposed.
Council warned the IPART cap does not factor any expected population growth, nor does it consider the recently scrapped Emergency Services subsidy of $140,000 which has been removed by the NSW Government.
The 2023-24 budget projects Murrumbidgee Council will receive $29 million in income which includes $18 million from grants and contributions and $7 million from rates, fees and charges.
Operating expenditure is projected to total $22 million, including $8 million for employee costs, $7 million for materials and services costs and $7 million in depreciation.
Cr McRae said council would spend $11.4 million on capital works, including $4.2 million on the development of the Young Street subdivision in Darlington Point.
Sporting grounds have also been earmarked for upgrades including electrical work and improved netball facilities at Monash Park and the completion of civil works at Coleambally Sports Precinct.
“We are hoping to get lots of feedback from the community on the draft budget as it’s really important the community is closely involved in shaping the future of each of our towns,” Cr McRae said.
Key highlights of the plan are as follows:
• Improvements to public conveniences, with the installation of a lift and change public toilet in Jerilderie and refurbishment of the CWA Park and Bridge Street public toilets in Darlington Point.
• Swimming pool improvements across the LGA, including CCTV installation at Coleambally and Darlington Point, a dosing plant and solar heating at Darlington Point, the tiling of Coleambally Swimming Pool, and the purchase of solar blankets for Jerilderie.
• The development of the Young Street subdivision in Darlington Point, with the additional aim to secure grant funding to construct residential housing on some lots.
• Continued advocacy for the finalisation of the Integrated Water Cycle Management Plan Options Report and the associated works, which will be completed as soon as possible subject to the concurrence of the appropriate authorities.
• The finalisation of works at Brolga Place in Coleambally.
• The provision of traineeships to young people.
• The first phase of council’s Housing Replacement Strategy to replace its own residential real estate portfolio.
Residents can have their say about council’s plans by sending submissions to the general manager by noon on June 26.
Submissions can be emailed to mail@murrumbidgee.nsw.gov.au or sent to PO Box 96, Jerilderie, 2716.