In its draft budget tabled last week, council has recommended a $75,000 campaign specifically targeting the Griffith and Leeton regions.
‘‘The council is responding to the economic and social impact of COVID-19, border closures, and the Murray Darling Basin Plan’s implementation,’’ Mayor Matt Hannan said.
‘‘For example, as part of its response to the economic effects of COVID19 and border closures, the council has put aside an additional $75,000 in 2021/22 for a multi-media marketing campaign promoting Berrigan Shire as a tourist destination to a series of targeted regional centres.
‘‘This financial contribution follows the council’s initial investment of $75,000, committed in 2020/21.’’
Council also proposed a more than $5.7 million capital works program, including a rolling program of staged upgrades to council roads and stormwater, town entrances and parks, waste management facilities and water and sewerage treatment.
‘‘Annual Operational Plan 2021 - 2022 priority projects and new initiatives include the $6.6 million upgrade of the Finley and Barooga water treatment plants and the completion of Drought Community’s funded projects,’’ Cr Hannan said.
‘‘Further, this budget ensures that our hard working volunteer committees also continue to be supported with this year’s budget allocating $188,151 towards the operation by our volunteer committees of council facilities.’’
In recognition of the Berrigan Shire’s continuing financial and population growth, the budget also reveals plans to continue investment in properties and construction across the region.
And there will be a continued focus on improving the shire’s cultural assets.
‘‘We identified our art strategy as one of nine major areas (to focus on); we want to see some arts and cultural things going on,’’ Cr Hannan said.
‘‘You can just have a look at murals in Finley. If we can harness and grow our arts and culture, like the WAAAF creek walk in Tocumwal and obviously the aviation museum too, it’s going to be really exciting to delve into that space going forward.’’
Cr Hannan said supporting council’s plans will be a ‘‘modest’’ increase to rates across the shire.
Council total rates revenue will be increased by two per cent, in line with the approved rate cap.
The ‘‘average’’ ratepayer will therefore see an increase in rates of between $16 and $35 a year.
The ‘average’ residential property will see an increase of $16 in 2021/22, to $848.
With the addition of waste, sewerage, water access and stormwater charges, the average urban homeowner will pay $2317 — an increase of $19.
Rural zoned residences will also experience a price hike of $16 on average, from $672 to $688.
Those on farmland will experience a rates jump of $32, from $2210 to $2242.
Cr Hannan said the increased revenue will help the shire continue to thrive.
‘‘A $19 increase across the whole household is quite acceptable, I’d suggest,’’ he said.
‘‘While it’s a small increase, it does help us to continue to deliver the services and amenities and infrastructure that we do across the Berrigan Shire.’’
Council anticipates the net operating result for the 2021/22 year to be a $2,261,173 surplus.
