Budget winners

By Tania Martin
BELGRAVE and Upwey are big winners in the Shire of Yarra Ranges’ $27.2 million capital works program, which is part of the 2006-07 draft budget.
But households will have to find an extra $65 per year as the council has blamed rising petrol prices and a $150,000 increase in insurance premiums for a seven per cent rate rise.
Burrinja Gallery in Upwey will receive $2.47 million towards a three-year performing arts project, and Belgrave’s township will get a much-needed boost for footpath improvements.
The State Government said the Burrinja arts project would include a terraced area for the gallery’s cafe and a new 116-seat theatre in-the-round. It is expected to be completed by 2009.
Burrinja president Louis Delacretaz said it was fantastic that the shire had also provided funding and that it would help to kick the project along to the next stage of planning.
Mr Delacretaz said the performing arts centre will provide space for local residents and school children to perform, as well as theatre groups.
Belgrave will receive a $375,000 boost for footpath and township improvements.
Andrew Rayment, the president from the Belgrave Traders Assocation (BTA), said the funding would be used to improve footpaths in the town.
He said there were a number of unfinished projects in Belgrave, because last year’s allocated funds ran out before it could finish the paths improvements.
Mr Rayment said the new funding would mean that the footpath upgrade could be finished.
Meanwhile, Belgrave Recreational Reserve will receive $100,000 for a pavilion upgrade and $90,000 for works on the town’s oval.
Both projects will also receive State Government funding under the sports and recreational grants program.
Belgrave Football Club committee member, Bob Raaymakers, said the club was trying to improve the pavilion facilities to create a better environment in the existing building.
Mr Raaymakers said the funding would also allow the club to build an extension to the pavilion for a gymnasium.
The shire’s chief executive officer, Rob Hauser, said the council’s insurance premiums had increased from $1.24 million in 2005-06 to $1.4 million in 2006-07, and a continued shift of responsibilities on the council had contributed to a seven per cent rise.
He said one of the latest shifts include the additional burden of the council having to clear trees from power lines.
Mr Hauser said this job was previously undertaken by the electricity companies, and that council is also now responsible for fire hydrant inspections.
He said this was one of many issues considering the council’s draft budget, including a reduction in Victorian Grants Commission funding, higher waste disposal costs as a result of an increase in the landfill levy, and additional costs due to an increase in the amount of rubbish illegally dumped along roadsides and in bushland reserves.
Shire manager of community relations, James Martin, said the rate rise would increase the average household rates by $65 a year or $1.25 per week.
Mr Martin said an average rate bill will jump from $1008 to $1073 per year.
But Mr Hauser said the seven per cent rate increase was reasonable considering the increase in petrol and insurance premiums and added shire responsibilities.
“Despite all of these new financial pressures, we have still been able to deliver a budget that has something for everyone, while at the same time keeping the average rate increase to a reasonable level of seven per cent,” he said.