By Jena Carr
Surf Coast Shire Council has adopted its 2024-25 budget but is considering a change for the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre project.
Council decided (7-2) to seek community feedback on a section of the budget adopted during its June 25 meeting about increased proposed borrowings for the aquatic centre.
Mayor Liz Pattison said council’s proposed borrowings of up to $6 million for the centre would allow costs to be shared over time to ensure future generations can fund facilities they will use.
“We have been very fortunate to receive $36.68 million in state and federal government funding. This can only be used for the aquatic centre and if we don’t use it, we’ll lose it,” she said.
“A Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre would deliver major health and wellbeing benefits for our community and provide much-needed water-safety skills, but we need additional funding to make the project happen.”
The adopted budget also includes funding for projects such as $5.37 million for the Winchelsea pool redevelopment, more than $13 million for road and footpath upgrades, and $862,000 for climate emergency response initiatives.
Councillor Paul Barker said he believed the budget added to the “pressure” felt by ratepayers in the Surf Coast through a 2.75 per cent rate increase.
“I just want people to have more choice in how they live and keep more of the money they earn, this budget does not facilitate this desire of mine,” he said.
“When people talk about the cost of living, we here in this chamber have a significant part to play. We can either add to our community’s financial pressure or reduce it.
“All this does is reduce the choices of what private landowners are able to do with their properties, continues an increase in the rates our residents and ratepayers are liable for.”
Council will decide on whether to increase proposed borrowings for the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre during its August meeting.
People can provide feedback on the draft revised budget from June 26 to July 22 and explore full details of the adopted budget on Surf Coast Shire Council’s website.
