A number of works and projects across the Bellarine will be scaled back or shelved indefinitely, according to the 2023-24 draft budget released by Greater Geelong council.
Twenty-five capital works projects have been cut in the draft, while a number of community programs and events sponsorships have not been renewed.
Projects in the Bellarine intended for suspension include the Portarlington Recreation Reserve Master Plan upgrades, the St Leonards Lake Reserve upgrades, Bellarine Rail Trail sealing, the Regional Livestock and Information Exchange and $1.47 million of road resurfacing works.
Council plans to introduce a number of new fees around planning and permit applications and City services.
The tone of the council meeting on April 26 was heavy as councillors cited inflation and rising costs as the main causes behind what Geelong deputy mayor Anthony Aitken called a necessary “tighten(ing) of the belt”.
“This is the toughest and most challenging budget I’ve ever seen,” Cr Aiken said.
“This budget’s been developed at a period of time where we’re witnessing economic and financial volatility not experienced since the 1991-92 recession.”
While Council had forecast a budget surplus this year, it now faces a deficit of $8 million, which Cr Aitken called a “wake-up call for the administration, the councillors and now… the community”.
Bellarine Ward councillor Jim Mason expressed his “extreme disappointment” at the sweeping cuts to projects across the Bellarine and Greater Geelong but said Council had little choice.
“We’ve reached a situation where it’s an almost perfect storm, with post-COVID budget constraints, cost escalations… budget shocks, supply chain problems and delays in our strategic steps forward with the delay in the appointment of a CEO,” Cr Mason said.
“And so we’ve all had to make adjustments to our aspirations. We have got a very serious situation, and to get ourselves into a positive trajectory over the next planning period we have to make cuts at this point.”
Cr Aitken said Council had requested a rolling six-month review of Council’s financial position, with an intention to bring back paused projects when possible.
“This procedural mechanism has been established to provide hope to the community and also hope to the Council group to fulfil our responsibilities to the community,” Cr Aitken said.
“I call this ‘the hope clause’ of the 2023-24 budget.”
The proposed budget is available for community feedback until 5pm on Wednesday, May 24 at yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/2023-24-BRRP.
All submissions will be considered before the final budget is presented to Council for consideration at its June 27 meeting.
