Surf Coast Times
Tuesday 25 May 2010
VOL 8. No 21
www.surfcoasttimes.com.au
FREE WEEKL WEEKLY
SHIRE SUPPORT Surf Coast Ratepayers Association lobbies government for council funding
BY NATHAN HALE SURF Coast Shire has gained sympathy and support from one of the most unlikely sources – the local ratepayers association. Following last week’s shire budget, the Surf Coast Community Ratepayers Association has come out in support of the shire as it faces a testing time ahead with the rapidly growing area. The shire announced it will borrow $10.26million to fund construction works on the Community and Civic Precinct, which will bring debt to $18.48m. Although this remains within prudential debt management levels – and while council has set a target of reducing this by $2.5million before 2013/14 – the ratepayers remain concerned at the financial strain on the shire. In a bid to garner financial support for the shire, the ratepayers association has written to both federal and state governments to see if funding is available. “We have written to both governments and we have responses saying there is funding available,” said association president, Spencer Leighton. “However, the funding available is on a one-for-one (money matching) basis… and the problem is the shire just can’t afford that. “So we are going to write back and ask the governments if there is any special loan arrangement that can be entered into – at a low percentage rate or even an interest free loan.” Leighton said the requests had been made to the state and federal governments as the association was well aware the shire was struggling financially to cope with the rapid growth of the Surf Coast. “Look at the conditions the shire employees are working in with the portable buildings,” Leighton said. “That is unacceptable – and they need to be improved. But with everything that is happening and the rapid growth, the shire is just never going to have the chance to get ahead. “We still have no swimming pool, the roads are never done properly and we haven’t got a town hall. “We just think there should be some help from the government for rapidly growing areas – and that’s what we will be asking for.” Last week’s budget announced a record
$29.2m for new capital works with significant projects across a number of communities. “Capital works are a centrepiece of this budget as we work to provide the roads, ovals, netball courts, football fields, recycling facilities, paths, open space and other facilities of the future for residents and ratepayers throughout Surf Coast Shire,” Mayor, Libby Coker, said. Additional funding is also provided to boost aged and family services, to provide more maintenance of open space, landscaping, playgrounds and community facilities; as well as additional fire preparation activities. The shire also announced a 6.9 per cent rate increase, while the municipal charge will rise by $20 per assessment. The budget also delivers a $12.22million operating surplus, an increase of $5.09million on 2009/10’s surplus due mainly to $7.47million of capital grants being received to fund the record capital works programme. “The coming financial year promises to be an exciting one for the Surf Coast, with the delivery of several important projects across our coastal and hinterland areas,” Coker said. “The budget is all about meeting the needs of our rapidly growing shire and providing the infrastructure and services that are necessary to meet future needs. “In a time when council incurs rising costs, including in preparing our communities for the threat of bushfire; a five per cent rise in the cost of construction; and as demand for services and infrastructure grows; maintaining financial responsibility is important. “This budget, while meeting the major challenges our municipality is facing, remains sustainable and responsible.” Copies of the budget are available at www. surfcoast.vic.gov.au/onexhibition.htm Hard copies can be viewed at council’s Grossmans Road service centre; post offices in Anglesea, Aireys Inlet, Lorne and Winchelsea; the Lorne Visitor Information Centre; Deans Marsh and Moriac general stores; the Torquay and mobile libraries and Community Houses in Anglesea, Deans Marsh, Lorne and Winchelsea. Residents and ratepayers interested in finding out more are invited to attend a Budget Information Session from 6pm-8pm on Thursday, June 3 at the council offices in Grossmans Road.
Surf Forecast
The Salvation Army’s popular Mainly Music programme will celebrate its fifth anniversary with a family fun day this Sunday at the Torquay Improvement Association Hall. The day, starting from 10.30am, will be open to all families who have attended the musical sessions. Programme co-ordinator, Lyndel Berris, was pictured at yesterday’s session with Teale. Photo: ALISON MARTIN
WED 2-3ft+ peaky, E 17° THU 2-3ft easing, NE 14° FRI 1-2ft small N 15° SAT 1-2ft small N 17°
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