The Greater Geelong Council will meet on Tuesday night (27 June) to
consider a number of changes to its 2023-24 budget, following consideration of
community feedback.
A report to be voted upon during the meeting includes the following changes to
the draft budget, recommended by the Council’s Submissions Review Panel:
- Additional funding for the Geelong Regional Library Corporation of $356,000, taking the City’s total allocation for libraries to $14.304 million, a $596,000 increase on 2022-23;
- Funding of $565,000 in the City’s operating budget to enable Kardinia Aquatic Centre to remain open during the winter season; and
- Funding of $47,500 to Life Saving Victoria to support lifeguard services on coastal beaches.
A total of 955 submissions were received during the community feedback
period, with the highest number of submissions regarding libraries funding and
the Kardinia Aquatic Centre.
Acting CEO Kaarina Phyland:
The increased figure for libraries would ensure
all Greater Geelong libraries, including the new Drysdale library, will
maintain existing operating hours.
Our community has made it clear that the City needs to step in to protect library
closures proposed by the GRLC from occurring.
Whilst it is disappointing that at this stage the GRLC have determined not to
assist the City by allocating a portion of the $2 million in free cash reserves
they hold on behalf of the City towards maintaining libraries opening hours, we
will advocate to the GRLC that they maintain services and jointly advocate with
us to the state government to restore state funding for libraries to the 50:50
it has been in the past.
The GRLC declined to meet with City officers and the municipal monitor
to collaborate on an outcome together.
Ms Phyland:
Following our analysis of the GRLC’s costs based on an email they
provided us, the City has determined that a total $14.304 million contribution
– a significant $596,000 more than the current year – will allow all libraries
to maintain their current hours.
Our contribution to libraries per resident was already amongst the highest in
Victoria, and an additional $356,000 would reinforce the value the Council
places on libraries.
If the proposed changes are endorsed by the Council, the final budget would
have a narrow forecast surplus of $345,000 in 2023-24, down from the initial
$1.28 million projected under the draft budget.
Mayor Trent Sullivan:
This has been a difficult budget from the outset given the rising costs we are
facing.
There were many tough decisions and we understood that parts of the draft
budget would not be popular.
We’ve heard the feedback, carefully considered all submissions, and our final
budget will now be determined by a vote during Tuesday night’s meeting.
I’d like to thank the Acting CEO Kaarina Phyland for
her and her team’s tireless and unfaltering work to turnaround the City’s
budget position, through very difficult circumstances.
The meeting will be at City Hall starting at 6pm and is open to the public. It
will also be
livestreamed.
The Council’s
proposed budget was available for community feedback between 26
April and 24 May.
Those wishing to provide their feedback in person were invited to attend Submissions
Review Panel hearings on 6 and 7 June.