DELIVERING essential services for the community, maintaining existing facilities, managing long-term debt and bridging Bayside’s infrastructure gap are key elements of the 2009/2010 Budget, which has been released for public comment.

Bayside Mayor Councillor James Long said Council had set the 2009/2010 Budget keeping firmly in mind the needs of Bayside’s community, particularly in difficult economic times. “Council has had to balance keeping the rate rise modest together with the increased costs of providing services in the face of growing community demands.”

Of the 6.4 per cent rate increase, two per cent is directly related to costs directed Council’s way, including increased charges for street lighting and hard waste collection and the Metropolitan Fire & Emergency Services Board levy, which now totals four per cent of Council’s budget,” Cr Long said.

The Bayside median property value is approximately $800,000, with annual rates around $1,255. The rate rise amounts to around an extra $1.50 per week for these properties. Cr Long says care has been taken to ensure that the focus of this budget is on the services that the community expects Council to deliver.

Council now has a long-term financial plan, which addresses Bayside’s infrastructure gap. Like many councils and governments, the cost of providing and maintaining the necessary buildings, parks, etc. has increased over the years, while the funding has not kept pace.

Whilst expenditure on the maintenance and renewal of roads and footpaths has been increased, services have been maintained and some such as the community bus service for seniors have been expanded.

With consideration of the drought and its impact, Council has implemented policies for intercepting and better using stormwater, and measures to improve the resilience of our parks and sportsgrounds.

Funding has been included for a Community Plan to help clarify and define the community’s vision for Bayside and to ensure public involvement enabling Council to partner with the community to make a real difference.

“The Council Budget has been prepared in accordance with Council’s Long Term Financial Strategy and is directly linked to the Council Plan 2009 - 2013, which reflects the diverse needs and common purposes of Council and the community,” says Cr Long.

Copies of the Budget 2009/2010 and the Long Term Financial Plan are available from the Publications section of the website, Council’s Corporate Centre and Bayside’s libraries.

Comments and submissions on these documents will be accepted until 12 June 2009.

The final Budget and Long Term Financial Plan will go to Council on 23 June for adoption. The plans are prepared in accordance with the Local Government Act 1989 and will be submitted to the Victorian Minister for Local Government at the end of June.