Budget 2020-2021 and Council Plan

Warrnambool City Council’s draft 2020-2021 Budget acknowledges the financial hardship facing many and invests in projects that will help stimulate the economy during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Counci's Budget is guided by the Council Plan 2027-2021 and the long-term community plan, Warrnambool 2040.

Both the draft Budget and Council Plan 2017-2021 (2020 revision) have been released for public comment and can be viewed via the links to the right.

The draft budget details the resources required over the next financial year to fund the services that remain operating for Warrnambool’s 35,000 residents.

These services range from kindergartens, childcare centres and home support services to waste collection and and the maintenance of roads and footpaths.

The budget also includes details of a balanced program of capital expenditure including allocations to improve and renew our City’s physical infrastructure, buildings and operational assets.

The budget includes a rate increase of 2.0 per cent, reduced from the 4.5% allowed for by the Essential Services Commission for this financial year. It also includes a reduction in the waste management charge meaning on the average property values rates and charges the forecast increase in 2020-2021 will be 1.2%.

As part of Warrnambool's response to the global recycling issues, Council has implemented FOGO, a trial of kerbside glass collection and glass collection points. This is reducing Council's risk exposure to the recycling market.  These measures have helped Council reduce waste management costs and it is proposed that the waste management fees be cut by 2.79% or $11 per property to $379.09.

This budget sees the average residential rate bill increase to $2,053 from $2,029 in 2019-20.

The budget reflects a significant cut in services directly affected by the pandemic and encompasses stand downs to many staff until these services re-open.

Over 2020-2021, the Council will develop and use its existing resources and a community and business stimulus and recovery fund to develop and deliver initiatives to help the community regrow.

The allocation in 2020-2021 for community and business support in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic is $1.951 million.

The support package comprises:

            •  Community and Business Support and Stimulus Fund - $450,000

            •  Small Infrastructure Fund 2020/21 - $891,000

            •  Economic development unit - $545,000

            •  Community development grants - $65,000

Council has proposed a substantial capital works program with an emphasis on asset renewal.

Capital works highlights include:

• Road renewals - $3.8 million
• Completion of the Lake Pertobe Master Plan implementation (Stage I) - $2.9 million
• Completion of the Reid Oval  - $11 million
• Library and Learning Centre - $1.3m
• Energy saving initiatives - $1 million
• Community Support Fund - $810,000
• Beach access renewal - $180,000