Millions for art gallery upgrades, the new animal shelter and sporting facility improvements are highlights in Ballarat Council’s 2024/25 draft budget.
Council has allocated $122.8 million towards a capital program, which will see $30.5 million go towards road infrastructure, $6.5 million go towards drainage projects and $5.6 million go towards basin projects in Charlesworth and Cornish Streets.
$5.55 million will go to art gallery upgrades, $4 million will help start the construction of the new animal shelter and $1 million for the planning stage of the airport runway upgrade.
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The council have increased investment in sporting projects, including $4.3 million for the design of future works for the CE Brown Reserve and Learmonth Oval and hockey change rooms, $1.89 million for the Buninyong netball courts and community cricket nets and over $2 million to implement the Mt. Clear recreation reserve and Brown Hill recreation reserve master plans.
Despite having no borrowings in the 2023/24 financial year, council will borrow just over $20 million for a number of the new projects.
Residents will see an average rate increase of 2.75 per cent, in line with the State Government’s rate cap, whilst a waste management service charge will increase by $34 per property.
Councillors will be asked to adopt the draft budget at a council meeting on Wednesday.