DANDENONG STAR JOURNAL
Home » ‘Critical’ hit to CGD budget

‘Critical’ hit to CGD budget

In a further Covid-19 blow to its coffers, Greater Dandenong Council has announced a $1 million drop in supplementary rates revenue in 2020-‘21.

It comes on top of a grim midyear budget review in December in which remaining 2020-‘21 capital works were shelved to overcome a $4 million deficit.

Corporate services director Mick Jaensch said the final supplementary rates tally would be likely half of the $2 million usually collected annually.

“You’re looking at a drop-off of roughly $1 million in supplementary rates that this council won’t be receiving due to the impacts of Covid.”

Supplementary rates – which aren’t subject to rate-capping – had been “critical” to the council’s budget in previous years, Mr Jaensch told a council meeting on 8 February.

“It means rate capping is going to cause us more financial difficulties in the year to come.

“We will budget fairly conservatively in 2021-’22 – in the hope that we are wrong.”

Councillor Jim Memeti said the supplementary rates drop showed “no development is happening”.

According to the mid-year budget, the main contributor to the council’s first cash deficit was $5.57million of “known Covid financial losses”.

But Cr Memeti said the total revenue hit was about $17 million, including the council’s continuing Covid material aid program, rates and sports club fee relief and parking fee waiver.

The council would still “find a way” to deliver on the $60 million Dandenong Oasis aquatic centre redevelopment.

The timeframe for the pledged Dandenong Community Hub project was to be discussed at a council strategic weekend in March.

 

Digital Editions


  • Students bask in the Mitch Tambo effect

    Students bask in the Mitch Tambo effect

    Students at Wooranna Park Primary School were stoked to meet legendary Aboriginal Australian singer Mitch Tambo this month. The school’s indoor court was vibrating with…