A PERFORMING arts centre of international standard, $9 million sports stadium, city-wide walking track and a fresh, art-filled CBD… all of this and more can be achieved for Goulburn in the next four years, Goulburn Mulwaree General Manager Warwick Bennett says.
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All it would take is a “modest rate increase”.
Details of Council’s grand-plans for the City were unveiled in a special 2015/16 draft budget preview yesterday morning.
Within the plans: a walking track, increased parking, a new sewer treatment plant, $8m in roads and bridge capital works, the complete renovation of St Clair Museum, a $1.5m Adventure Playground, 384pc increase in footpath extensions and renewal, a mobile library van, a new outdoor swimming pool, creek bed clean ups, public toilet replacements, the installation of reticulated raw water system for the city’s parks and reserves, an elevator connecting the library to the art gallery and vibrant local projects in the City’s surrounding villages.
The McDermott Centre will also be developed into a youth facility, with money in the budget allocated to “building alterations” of the former town hall.
Mayor Geoff Kettle said the plans show Goulburn "is fit for the future" - a reference to local government reform.
"We're strong, we're vibrant... this budget and these exciting plans which our management team has carefully researched will reinforce that," he said.
Mr Bennett said the implementation of the draft budget would give Council a “clear vision to have a meaningful dialogue with the community going forward into the future.”
He has assured that despite the spending, the projects are “financially sustainable”, emergency funds would still be available and, further, committed “there will be no (rate) increases beyond the rate cap” throughout the four years.
“The basic vision is to ensure that Goulburn Mulwaree develops even further into one of Australia’s great regional liveable communities as well as promoting Goulburn as a great city in which to invest and do business in,” Mr Bennett said.
“Importantly - this budget is all funded and financially sustainable well beyond the four year period of this budget period and all of this is going to be achieved with a modest rate increase of just 2.4pc...
“Most importantly - it takes the Goulburn Mulwaree community to a whole new level of providing facilities and services that a modern day community should expect from its Council – in fact, I believe it will exceed community expectations,” he said.
“At the very worst case scenario we still end up with $4 million cash flow in the bank of unrestricted monies that could be used for contingencies and emergencies. If there is an emergency beyond $4 million, we have significant capacity to borrow…”
Mr Bennett said while Federal Government funding applications have been made for the sewer treatment plant project, internally funding the operation was still viable.
More information on specific projects will be provided to the community in the budget over the coming weeks.
“We have made an application for $10 Million to the Federal Government, which will be announced in May. However, if we do not get that money, we will fund it internally. There will be no increase in water/sewer charges beyond inflation,” Mr Bennett explained.
The Operational Plan and budget will go on public exhibition in early April.