Project objective

The Annual Budget 2024-25 outlines the services and initiatives to be funded for the next financial year.

Following Council’s in-principle approval of the proposed Annual Budget 2024-25 on 23 April 2024, community members and project stakeholders are encouraged to provide their feedback on the proposed Budget between 24 April and 14 May 2024 for the consideration of Council.

Community consultation on the Annual Budget is conducted in accordance with the Local Government Act 2020 and Council’s Community and Stakeholder Engagement Policy 2021.


Project impacts

Council’s proposed Annual Budget 2024-25 is informed by the Bayside 2050 Community Vision, the Council Plan 2021 – 2025 and Financial Plan 2021-31. The Budget funds services and initiatives Council has committed to deliver.

The proposed $181.0 million budget commits Council to action in four key areas over the next 12 months

  • Our Planet – leading better, smarter and sustainable futures
  • Our People – nurturing all people and thriving healthy communities
  • Our Place – fostering Bayside’s liveability, open spaces and exceptional places
  • Our Promise – promising open and accountable civic leadership.

The ambitious agenda delivered by this budget will be funded by a rate increase of 2.75%, which is in accordance with the Victorian Government’s rate cap. This rate increase is essential for the continuation of our community services and capital investment.

The waste service charge incorporating kerbside collection and recycling is not subject to the rate cap legislation and will increase by 0.1%.

$55.7 million is earmarked to deliver important community infrastructure via the capital works program. This continues Council’s multi-year program to address historic under-investment and is enabled by continuing strong financial management.


Highlights

  • Investment in our Aged Care Services so we can expand to the delivery of Home Care Packages to meet the increasing needs of our ageing community.
  • Taking action on Climate Change by further implementing the Climate Emergency Action Plan and the Biodiversity Action Plan.
  • Continuing the transformation of Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve into a natural urban oasis to benefit thousands of Baysiders and visitors for years to come.
  • Upgrades to footpaths, roads and drainage, foreshore and parks, and sports pavilions to support accessibility, recreation, and liveability in Bayside.

What key initiatives are included in this year’s budget?

The Annual Budget 2024/25 includes the following key initiatives:

  • Climate Emergency Action Plan
  • Biodiversity Action Plan
  • Highett Grassy Woodlands Masterplan
  • Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve: Wetlands
  • Municipal Health and Wellbeing Plan
  • Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan
  • Expansion of Aged Care Services
  • Completion of the Beaumaris Arts Studio
  • Wangara Road Masterplan
  • Billilla Mansion and precinct restoration
  • Third Street Black Rock drainage upgrade
  • Boss James Pavilion upgrade


Deferred projects

There are no significant deferrals of plans, programs or capital works in this year’s proposed budget.


What information do we need from the community?

We are engaging with our community to seek feedback on Council’s Proposed Annual Budget 2023-24.


What can the community influence?

What can’t the community influence?

  • Legislative requirement for Council to adopt Annual Budget 2024-25 by 30 June 2024
  • Council operations, resource allocation and projects Council has resolved to deliver
  • Waste charge: Direct cost recovery determined by the State Government landfill levy, cost of hard waste collections, recycling processing costs, and green waste and garbage collection and disposal costs.


Stakeholders and community

This stakeholder assessment is a generalised understanding of sections of the community that have a connection to the project or matter. This information is used to understand the types of tools and techniques that will achieve the strongest and most effective outcomes for engagement and communication.

  • Impact: What level of change the stakeholder / community segment may experience as a result of the project / matter
  • Interest: What level of interest has been expressed or is anticipated
  • Influence: Reference to the IAP2 Spectrum

Stakeholder / community

Impact

Interest

Influence

General Bayside community

L

L

Consult

Individual community members with broad interests in the business of Council and governance

L

H

Consult

Organisations/groups/individuals affected by rescheduled projects

H

H

Consult

Stakeholders with new projects financed through Annual Budget 2024-25

H

H

Consult

Stakeholder groups/associations/organisations

L

M

Consult

Local businesses/traders

L

M

Consult


Selected tools and techniques

The tools and techniques selected for this project are informed by the project content, stakeholders and type of feedback sought.

Key tools for communicating the project

  • Email notification to Have Your Say members, including those who subscribe to projects affected by this year’s budget.
  • Council website and e-newsletter, This Week in Bayside
  • Social media
  • Video and/or infographics
  • Digital screens in Corporate Centre and libraries

Key methods for gathering feedback

  • Have Your Say project webpage, including feedback forms and opportunities to ask questions
  • Post, phone and email correspondence.

Project timelines

Proposed Annual Budget 2024-25 endorsed by Council - 23 April 2024 Council meeting

Community consultation - 24 April - 14 May 2024

Adoption of Annual Budget 2024-25:

Council to consider community feedback at its 4 June briefing meeting and adoption of Annual Budget 2024-25 on 18 June 2024


Decision-making process

The Annual Budget 2024-25 is informed by community priorities articulated in the Bayside 2050 Community Vision and Council Plan 2021-2025.

FFollowing the close of community engagement on 14 May 2024, community and stakeholder feedback will be considered and amendments made to the proposed Budget, if required.

Council will consider a report on community engagement on the Budget on the 04 June briefing and adopt the proposed Annual Budget 2024-25 at its meeting on 18 June 2024. The agenda for this meeting will be available to view here when published.

Interested community members will also have an opportunity to request to be heard at the Council meeting on 18 June 2024 and speak to Council at the meeting or provide a written statement which will be published in the meeting agenda.

Under the Local Government Act 2020, Council must adopt an annual budget by the 30 June 2024.

More information

For more information about this project please contact Bill Shanahan, Finance Manager, on 03 9599 4340 or bshanahan@bayside.vic.gov.au