Council
4 July, 2024
Breaking down the latest budget
Hindmarsh Shire Council formally adopted their 2024/25 budget last week, which will see general ratepayers billed an average 2.71 per cent more than last year.
Hindmarsh Shire Council formally adopted their 2024/25 budget last week, which will see general ratepayers billed an average 2.71 per cent more than last year.
The budget aims to raise $10,042,615 in revenue, $188,000 more than last year, without putting too much extra strain on residents.
Over $6.3 million of this will be used to maintain, upgrade or establish much-needed infrastructure and assets.
This includes roads and footpaths ($3,924,705), silo art ($102,000), tourism signage ($10,000), and the care of caravan parks and camping grounds ($713,778).
The Rainbow, Jeparit and Nhill Town Committees, and Dimboola Progress Association will each receive $7500 funding for grants or events.
Hindmarsh Youth Council have been designated $10,000, and the cost of the upcoming council elections has been budgeted at $152,684.
The state government's Fair Go Rates's System has placed a rates increase cap of 2.75 per cent on Victorian local governments and councils.
Hindmarsh Shire Council has complete the annual property revaluations which is used to calculate the individual rates changes for each property type.
Residential rates will increase by 1.07 per cent, due to the 8.94 per cent rise in total land value.
Farm rates will increase by 2.96 per cent after a land value of 10.96 per cent this year, and land used for commercial or industrial business purposes saw a land value increase of 10.58 per cent, meaning a 2.59 per cent increase in their rates.
Urban vacant land saw the largest increase in total land value (15.25 per cent) and so will attract a rates increase of 6.93 per cent - approximately $3000 per property.
Kerbside waste collection will also see an annual increase of $12, for a total of $465 per property.
This is an increase by only 2.65 per cent, and will be offset by the elimination of the $17 general waste charge previously applied to each property.
Horsham Rural City Council have increased their waste collection levy by six per cent, and Yarriambiack by 10 per cent this year.
Yarriambiack Shire residents will see an average increase in their general rates of 2.72 per cent - 0.91 per cent for residential properties, 1.02 per cent for commercial, and 3.07 per cent for farms.
Horsham Rural City Council is yet to release their 2024/25 budget.
The full document, Hindmarsh Shire Council Annual Budget 2024-2025 (incorporating Long-Term Financial Plan and Revenue and Rating Plan), can be viewed HERE, or at their Customer Service Centres.