City of Greater Bendigo councillors will likely endorse a conservative budget on Wednesday evening, which is highlighted by an increase in waste charges of 11 per cent.
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An additional $45,000 for dam works at Harcourt Park, Strathdale, have been added from the draft budget, released in April.
Recycling costs will increase by $25 per property, and overall waste costs will rise by $40, on average.
A swathe of new tip fees have been introduced for tyres, including forklifts, trucks and tractors, while disposal of car bodies have skyrocketed 861 per cent – from $26 to $250.
Read more: Waste charges spike in ‘responsible’ budget
The majority of the council’s $40.6 million capital works program will go toward maintaining existing infrastructure, including $14.6m on sealed and unsealed roads; $1.7m on pathways, $2.9m on drainage; and $1.9m on public furniture and fittings.
Eighteen public submissions were received by COGB for its draft budget, one of which – the dam works at Harcourt Park – was acted upon.
Of the council’s $183.1 million operating budget, $23.6m will be spent on waste, $12.4m on parks, $12.7m on community wellbeing and $12.6m on works including footpaths and road maintenance.
Rates will increase by 2.25 per cent in line with the rate cap set by the state government, and, when coupled with user fees and charges, will account for 60 per cent of the council’s budget revenue of $193.9 million.
Councillors will also consider a final draft of the Marong township plan, which has some slight alterations from a previous version, including an additional development area to the west of the township, a recommended potential site on Hills Road identified for a future government primary school and co-located neighbourhood sporting facility.
Read more: Second Marong primary school mooted
All proposed residential growth areas in the town will be within a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) of 12.5, consistent with recent State Planning Policy reform.
Elsewhere, councillors will consider a planning application for a child care centre in Apsley Street, Stratfhfieldsaye.
A report prepared for councillors recommends the plans, which received a number of objections, be approved. Objectors said there was currently no identified gap in service demand.
***Bendigo council meeting agenda June 20***
