Annual Budget 2023/24: the conversation begins

Published on 03 November 2022

We’re starting the conversation to determine funding resources and allocations for services, projects and capital works, for the coming year.

Balancing demands for more and better services against a constrained income is always a challenge, which is why we are seeking initial comments from the community on their priority areas now, to help inform the shape of the Budget and how and where they want to see money spent during 2023/24.

The approach recognises the success of Council’s decision last year to reshape our Budget engagement, with calls for feedback at both the top and bottom end of the process allowing residents to inform the development of the Proposed Budget, not just comment on a prepared document.

Mayor, Cr Anthony Tran, said putting the community in the driver’s seat in this way meant they were better able to steer the outcome of this key document.

“Last year, our engagement attracted interest from 10,000 residents, of which a third took some form of action, resulting in the largest number of submissions received in a five year period. This level of community involvement is invaluable in supporting Council’s decision-making to ensure services and facilities that meet community needs and expectations are able to be delivered now – and into the future,” Mayor Tran said.

This year, Council is again asking the community to help drive the process by asking residents to share their service priorities using a new interactive ‘fund it tool’ on the digital engagement platform, Your City Your Voice. Respondents will allocate 100 points across five service areas.

Mayor Tran said this will depend on a lot of things, and will be different for everyone. “Whether it is roads and rubbish, or youth services, libraries, or open space – understanding the areas that matter most to you, will help us shape how and where we are proposing money be spent, that will come back to the community for further comment early in the New Year,” he said.

This is the first step in the development the Annual Budget 2023/24 and will help to provide Council a snapshot of community priorities to inform the first draft. There will be additional opportunity for feedback on the Proposed Budget.

This first round of engagement closes 5pm on Monday 28 November. Visit www.yourcityyourvoice.com.au/budget to share your budget priorities and see how they rank compared with other participants.

Council also provides funding in the Budget for new projects and initiatives through the community grants scheme, which last year delivered $174,000 to 28 community initiatives. These grants will again be available this year to community groups to support specific initiatives.

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