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    Horsham Rural City Council chief executive Sunil Bhalla.

COVID-19 response in Horsham Rural City Council rates draft

All extra money generated from a two percent Horsham municipal rate rise will go towards helping people recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Horsham Rural City Council announced measures, in line with a ministerial rate cap, in its 2020-21 draft budget.

The increase in rates will generate an extra $484,000.

The document also outlines $1.148-million for business and community support and $16-million in capital-works investment.



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The council will further develop a Business and Community Assistance Program to target hardest-hit business and community areas as it develops a clear understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 response.

The council has placed the draft budget on public exhibition and is urging the community to view the proposal, get involved and have a say on how it spends money next year.

Chief executive Sunil Bhalla said the council had to cut this year’s forecasted spending by $2.397-million – a move necessary to continue a long streak of debt-free budgets.

He said despite the measures, the council was maintaining service-delivery levels, other than services closed due to COVID-19.

“The council’s revenue has taken a huge hit, like our businesses, and we have responded with this proposed budget in the best way we can, without really knowing what the true extent of the impact on our community will be,” Mr Bhalla said.

“We have proposed a rate increase, but we will spend it to help support businesses, particularly in hospitality and tourism, and rebuild our community, including moving ahead with capital works where we can to boost our economy. The budget proposes to reduce service-delivery costs by $1.695-million, initiatives by $190,000 and capital $512,000 to enable the council to deliver a responsible budget while supporting the community and covering expected lost revenue and increased costs resulting from the pandemic.”

Council road and rubbish services have again been the subject of most money.

A capital program includes $3.845-million for rural roads reconstruction, with $1.876-million to rebuild urban roads. Waste management will cost $3.255-million.

The council has earmarked rural roads at Wail, Brimpaen and Jung for upgrading, while major footpath and road works will occur in several streets in Horsham North.

On a long list of projects, the council has allocated money for the refurbishment of Wesley Performing Arts Centre, $545,000 funded by Wesley committee, a skate park upgrade, $164,000, and footpaths and cycle ways, $429,000.

A full list of works will be on the council website, www.hrcc.vic.gov.au.

The draft budget will be on exhibition for 36 days and is available online at oursay.org/horshamruralcitycouncil/budget2020-2021. People can view a hard copy by appointment.

People can make a submission on the proposed budget in writing, addressed to the chief executive officer. They can also complete an online submission through the council website.

People must provide written and online submissions before 5pm on July 7.

The council will formally consider the draft budget at its July 27 meeting.

Farmers wary on council budgets

 

The entire June 3, 2020 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!