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    Cr Karen Hyslop.

Northern Grampians municipality in good shape

By Colin MacGillivray

Northern Grampians Shire Council’s books appear to be in good shape as residents across the municipality prepare for the next four-year council term.

The council hosted an unscheduled meeting last week to receive a financial report for the first quarter of the 2024-25 financial year, as well as the completed annual report for 2023-24.

Cr Karen Hyslop said the quarterly financial report painted a picture of a healthy municipality.



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“This financial report is quite good. It’s $490,000 in a favourable variance,” she said.

“There is an adjustment to capital expenditure for additional grant funding received, and there is an adjustment for additional grant income expected for works completed in the previous financial year, which is quite favourable.

“That’s what we want to see in our quarterly financial report.”

Councillors said the annual report, the preparation of which they met on September 30 to discuss, also showed good signs.

“It’s important to recognise the activities that have been delivered over the past four years,” Cr Eddy Ostarcevic said.

“Noticeably in the last year where we’ve had upgrades to St Arnaud’s Lord Nelson Park, we’ve had upgrades to Stawell’s North Park, we’ve had a number of other projects that have started, for example a new sporting pavilion at Great Western.

“Those three projects alone have totalled somewhere in the vicinity of $12-million of funds that have been spent.”

Call for greater support

Cr Ostarcevic said the council had done well to fund key projects but called on the state and federal governments to provide greater support.

“Council has provided a great deal of infrastructure for the community through prudent use of funds that have been gained from ratepayers and also secured through state and federal funds,” he said.

“The report highlights activities that council delivers – not just roads, rates and rubbish, but also things like the St Arnaud Early Learning Centre and its progress through immunisation, albeit almost entirely at the cost of the ratepayer rather than subsidised from the state coffers.

“There are areas of support that would be welcome from state and federal governments towards the delivery of these types of services – maternal care, aged care.”

Councillors encouraged residents to read the annual report by visiting www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/Council/Governance-and-transparency/Council-publications/Annual-Report to  see how the council spent its money.

The entire October 30, 2024 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire October, 30, 2024 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!