Warrnambool City Council says it has a funding shortfall of $700,000 over the next three years and wants your thoughts on how it should remain financially sustainable.
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The council is proposing a rates increase above the state government-regulated cap, and it says to maintain the current range of services that extra cash needs to be found.
The survey asks people to think about the value they place on council services, everything from building roads and footpaths to care for the elderly and frail.
- Mayor Tony Herbert
The rates hike plan has angered residents, with many saying the council should find efficiencies elsewhere.
The Standard revealed earlier this month a consultation company would help conduct the community feedback process, with a budget of up to $30,000 for the work.
The council is seeking feedback via an online survey on the services that are most important to the community in a move to explore options to bridge the shortfall.
It will also engage with a group of 60 community leaders early in the new year.
Mayor Tony Herbert said the survey followed on from a commitment made by the council earlier this month to consult with the community about a possible rise.
“The survey asks people to think about the value they place on council services, everything from building roads and footpaths to care for the elderly and frail,” he said.
“It then asks people to think about whether they value the service enough to pay a little more to cover any funding shortfall.
“It also asks whether people would prefer to see services cut, rather than try to cover budget shortfalls.”
The council’s annual budget is about $85 million and it collects $38 million in rates.
The next stage of the consultation will include a workshop, to be held in February, at which a panel of up to 60 community members will consider the findings from the survey. The panel will be assembled through an expression of interest process next year.
Online information on the city council’s website details the breadth of services it offers.
- Rubbish is collected weekly from more than 15,500 properties, while recyclable materials are collected fortnightly. Each year there are 65,000 public place bin collections and 5200 public place recycling bin collections.
- More than 1650 cats and 4400 dogs are registered in Warrnambool, and the council supports an animal pound that cares for lost or abandoned pets.
- The council provides 25,000 meals and 50,000 hours of services to more than 1600 residents each year.
- Its immunisation program delivers 7000 injections annually across 100 sessions.
- More than 12,000 hours of respite support are delivered across the municipalities of Warrnambool, Moyne, Corangamite, Southern Grampians and Glenelg.
- There are 284 children enrolled in council co-ordinated Family Day Care services, with an average of 185 accessing it each week. More than 400 children are enrolled in four-year-old kinder at the council’s 13 kindergartens.
- Warrnambool has more parks and gardens and open space per capita than any other Victorian regional city.
- The council is responsible for managing 400 hectares, including 250 parks, gardens, sport grounds, foreshore and reserves and about 60 playgrounds. AquaZone hosts school and club swimming carnivals and records more than 200,000 paid visits annually.
- The Lighthouse Theatre receives more than 60,000 visitors each year, hosts about 150 performances and hosts numerous events and conferences.
- The Warrnambool Library has more than 14,000 members and records more than 113,000 visitors annually.
To complete the survey go to www.yoursaywarrnambool.com.au
A print version of the survey will become available in early Janaury.
The survey will remain open until February 9.
Rachael Houlihan
Deputy editor at The Standard. Former Warrnambool City Council and general news reporter. Send me news tips: rhoulihan@warrnamboolstandard.com.au
Deputy editor at The Standard. Former Warrnambool City Council and general news reporter. Send me news tips: rhoulihan@warrnamboolstandard.com.au
