Hilltops Council has released their budget for the 2019/2020 financial year.
“The budget puts the community’s aspirations into dollars and is our promise to the community on what we will deliver within the 2019/20 financial year,” said Mayor Brian Ingram.
The budget has a focus on delivering Stronger Country Community funded projects and asset renewal, with water and roads being key priorities.
A surplus of $4.69 million is the proposed consolidated budget result for 2019/2020.
Key points include:
- Council will generate revenue of $57.2 million
- 72% of revenue is collected through rates and charges ($41.3 million)
- 24% of revenue is obtained via grants and contributions
- Council will spend approximately $4.5 million of its reserves to complete approximately $28.8 million in capital works
- Council’s borrowings will equate to $8.6 million
Major community projects for the current financial year include:
- $326 000 on public cemeteries
- $184 000 on power upgrades for Harden Racecourse
- $120 000 on Roberts Park in Harden
- $61 000 on books and resources for libraries
- $10 000 on playground upgrades at Wombat Reserve
- $300 000 to explore options and extensions for the Young Cemetery
- $615 000 to regional pools and completion of the Young Aquatic Centre upgrade
- $471 000 on flood mitigation and urban drainage
- $470 000 on waste management
- $100 000 on Young stormwater upgrades
- $270 000 on improvements to the Hilltops Pound and off leash exercise areas
- $8 million on regional roads and re-sheeting
- $8.4 million on the replacement of Wambanumba, Spring Creek, Cudgells Creek and Haddon’s Bridges
- Completion of the $10 million Bundarbo Bridge project which commenced in 2018/19
- Council will raise $8.6 million in borrowings for the Young water and sewer main renewal work and $760 000 to extend the water and sewer main to the Rural Fire Service/Racecourse site in Harden
- Council will finalise its $300 000 solar power project in late 2019
- The $1 million Boorowa urbanisation project will now deliver a revised wastewater strategy for South Boorowa including the delivery of an interim sewer solution
- $300 000 for completion of upgrades to the Boorowa tennis courts
- $222 000 for the construction of the Boorowa Showground horse arena cover
- $170 000 in business system improvements
Tourism infrastructure highlights include:
- $300 000 towards upgrades to the Boorowa and Harden Caravan Parks
- Approximately $1 million to the Lambing Flat Chinese Tribute Garden project
- $1 million to the Murrimboola Creek connectivity project plus $300 000 for the Coddington Park upgrade
- $400 000 to the Tresillian Park upgrade
The Boorowa Water Security Project is the Council’s number one infrastructure priority. High level business cases have been provided to the State and Federal Governments for a $45 million pipeline that will secure the long-term water needs of the Boorowa community. A feasibility study is currently being conducted and is expected to be completed in October.
