BENDIGO'S council will likely reveal on Wednesday how it plans to pay for services and projects in the face of surging inflation.
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It is unclear what the effects of changing inflation will mean for the council's services and building projects next financial year.
The City of Greater Bendigo is expected to release its draft 2022/23 budget for public comment in coming days.
Inflation is swiftly becoming a major concern in Australia and around the world, as markets continue to make their COVID-19 recovery.
Annual inflation was running at 3.5 per cent at the end of last year but the Reserve Bank of Australia expects it to nudge 3.75 per cent by June, which would be higher than set targets.
A new council briefing document notes rate payers' bills will only rise by an average 1.75 per cent.
That is because of a Victorian-government imposed rule linking rate rises to the consumer price index.
The government decided on the 1.75 per cent rate rise last December, months before Russia invaded Ukraine and caused the commodity price to increase.
The new briefing document lists a number of other "key" influences shaping the draft budget.
Those includes the rising cost of managing services in a growing city where infrastructure is ageing.
The document also suggests the council wants to "maintain service standards" across Greater Bendigo, and assist businesses and community groups "most impacted" by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The council is trying to juggle workforce costs including a new enterprise bargaining agreement, the document says.
It appears to suggest one way to counter some of the pressures the council will face next financial year is to keep searching for "greater efficiency".
In the past that has typically meant changes to operational processes.
The document does provide any clues about whether the council will look for government grants or increase its borrowings.
Those matters are likely to become clearer on Wednesday, when councillors vote on whether to release the draft budget for public comment.
Public feedback would be open until May 16, when the council would deliberate on potential changes.
This story was modified at 12.36pm on Wednesday April 20, after the council advised it had extended public feedback deadlines from May 4.
- with Australian Associated Press
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