Budget brouhaha

Kylie Kitchen

A two per cent reduction in the proposed Macedon Ranges rate rise was met with instant community backlash as council adopted its 2013/14 budget on Wednesday night. 

At the special meeting, the adopted budget was amended from the document which was exhibited to residents. 

Residents filled the gallery and expressed dismay over decisions to again propose UL Daly Nature Reserve as the Gisborne Early Years Hub site and to sell four parcels of open space reserve in Gisborne (Wyralla Crescent, Namnan Way and Gardiner Street) to fund a planned netball courts project. 

Cr Henry McLaughlin made the submission to the budget (as a councillor and resident) that resulted in the Daly Reserve decision, and subsequent rate rise reduction. 

"The reality is though council, at the end of the day, we are the ones who have been elected to make the decisions and those decisions are tough decisions," he said.

"The council delivers a number of significant projects. The pockets of ratepayers are not bottomless and neither is the council budget. 

"The budget is about balance. Councillors this is a true balance."

Council cut the rate rise by saving $700,000 on the purchase of a new site for the Gisborne early years hub. 

It returned to its original proposal to make Daly Reserve the hub site, despite voting not to do so at a November 2012 meeting. The budget now allocates $25,000 for a masterplan on Daly Reserve. 

Cr Jennifer Anderson said there are other ways to reduce rates.

"What we're debating is have we got any other solutions," she said. 

"I have concerns for Daly Reserve and what might happen if we put the hub back on the agenda there."

Cr Russell Mowatt said the council has failed the community in lack of consultation and in going back on a decision made last year. 

Cr Sally Piper called it a good governance issue. 

"No wonder there's so many people in the gallery here tonight, they probably don't even know what's going on," she said. 

"I'm sorry to Daly Reserve and I'm sorry to the parcels of land that have been sold. So no, it's not balanced, it hasn't followed process and I'm very disappointed."

Cr Piper proposed a compromise to sell only one of the four parcels of land, which was lost in the vote. 

"Residents should not have to have their open space taken away from them to fund infrastructure for a town that is growing too quickly," she said. 

"Once our land is built on that's it, the concrete jungle is here to stay."

Cr John Letchford told council there are "$65 million reasons" to praise the budget. 

"My community says 'thank you if you can reduce the rates in the budget'," he said. 

"Councillors I suggest you start singing the praises of the budget.

"The budget is a complex process. We had so many conflicting submissions to judge this on."

Kyneton was a winner in the budget, with joint funding proposals for the Kyneton Bluestone Theatre and the Kyneton Community Park project. The theatre is promised a $90,000 council contribution to support a potential $290,000 government grant. The park will receive a $100,000 council contribution to support an application for a $300,000 government grant.

The budget includes more than $17 million in capital works, with $6.2 million in road and bridge works.

Council confirmed its $550,000 budget contribution to infrastructure upgrades at Hanging Rock, $764,000 to upgrade Woodend's Gilbert Gordon Oval, and $800,000 in playground projects in Kyneton and Romsey.

Other capital works include the Gisborne shire office extension ($800,000), footpath renewal program ($220,000), and the Tylden multipurpose courts ($210,000).

Among the 26 new initiatives is the implementation of the State Government's new residential zones ($40,000), and the Macedon Ranges Climate Change Action Plan ($40,000).

Council voted 5-4 on the budget (including the Daly Reserve decision). Those for were Crs McLaughlin, Letchford, mayor Roger Jukes, Graham Hackett and John Connor. Those against were Crs Piper, Mowatt, Anderson and Morabito.

Council voted 6-3 in the Gisborne land sales decision. Those for were Crs McLaughlin, Letchford, Jukes, Hackett, Connor and Morabito. Those against were Crs Piper, Mowatt, and Anderson.

$1.1M to fix black spots

Labor candidate for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters, and Member for McEwen, Rob Mitchell, at the corner of Egans Lane at the intersection of Dons Road and Three Chain Road, Newham, which has been awarded Black Spot funding.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister, Anthony Albanese, and Member for McEwen, Rob Mitchell, have welcomed the Federal Government's Budget allocation of $1,100,000 to fix three dangerous black spots in the Macedon Ranges.

The funding is the one significant cash injection from the Budget awarded to local projects.

The approved projects are:

· Three Chain Road, near Dons Road, at Newham: $814,000 to widen and seal the shoulder, install a skid-resistant seal, seal bellmouths and bus-bays, install a guardrail, line marking and signage and remove obscuring trees and vegetation;

· Romsey Road, near Mt Macedon to Hanging Rock Road, at Newham: $186,000 to widen and seal the shoulder, seal intersection approaches, remove an embankment and tree, install line marking and signage and complete drainage works.

· Burke & Wills Track, between Showlers Road and Wescott Lane, at Lancefield: $98,000 to install guardrail on all bends, improve signage, install curve advisory markers, and widen the seal on the western approach bend.

The projects were recommended by a panel of independent road safety experts and will be delivered during the course of the coming financial year (2013-14).

Mr Mitchell said since being elected in 2007, the Federal Labor Government has allocated over $8.2 million to fix 26 black spots across the McEwen electorate.

"This investment is helping to make our local roads safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, with 23 of these projects already completed," said Mr Mitchell.

"And the good thing about our Black Spot program is that anyone can suggest an intersection or section of road they believe should be considered for a safety upgrade.

"Nomination forms are available from my office. Alternatively, they can be downloaded from: www.nationbuildingprogram.gov.au."

Mr Albanese said a recent evaluation of the program found that fatal and casualty crashes are reduced at treated sites by 30 per cent, which translates to the saving of one life per year for every 84 projects. It also returns around $7.70 for every $1 invested by reducing the number and cost of crashes.

"That's why nationally we've doubled the program's funding to half a billion dollars - more than honouring all our election commitments."

Labor's candidate for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters, said the funding for works at Newham were a much-needed safety boost for roads in the local community.

Budget fails our schools

Kylie Kitchen

High priority education projects have been overlooked in the Victorian budget, to the detriment of schooling in the Macedon Ranges. 

The budget, released on Tuesday night, has failed to fund the K-12 Kyneton Education Plan, failed to commit to the Federal Government's National Plan for School Improvement (Gonski reform), and failed to reinstate TAFE funding. 

Australian Education Union Victorian Branch president, Meredith Peace, said this government has cut public education funding in real terms by at least $155 million over the next 12 months.

"The AEU has repeatedly called on the State Government to invest in public education, which is critical to the state's economic and social future," Ms Peace said.

Local Labor members of parliament have criticised the budget and its impacts on education in the Macedon Ranges. 

Labor State MP for Ballarat East, Geoff Howard said the budget is a huge letdown for the region.

"I am very disappointed that the K-12 Kyneton Education Plan did not receive any funding. For the third year in a row no school in the entire Ballarat East electorate has been listed to receive any major upgrade funding," he said.

"Our education system deserves better."

Mr Howard raised concern about the overall $69 million cut to education which is declared as 'savings' or 'reprioritisation and adjustments'.

Federal Labor Member for McEwen, Rob Mitchell, said the state's reduction in education spending proves the urgent need to reform school funding.

That is the aim under the National Plan for School Improvement. It is the Federal Government's response to the Gonski Review of Funding for Schooling.

The plan is a partnership project in which the Federal Government is awaiting state governments across the country to sign up to. So far only NSW has signed up. 

This budget was Victoria's opportunity to be part of the Gonski plan, with the agreement time closing on June 30.

Under the plan, schools across the country (in states that are signed up) would benefit from an extra $14.5 billion in public investment over the next six years along with better funding indexation. The NPSI would provide $9,271 per primary school student and $12,193 for high school students.

"If Premier Napthine will only act and sign up to our plan for better schools then there will be $4 billion more flowing to Victoria schools over the next six years, and the targeted funding available under national partnerships will be permanently locked in," Mr Mitchell said.

"But if we don't change the current school funding system, then our schools will miss out on $1.2 billion over the coming years due to expiring national partnerships and lower indexation rates."

Federal Labor candidate for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters said the state's decision not to invest in education is devastating for central Victorian schools, parents and children.

"(On Wednesday), I was in Kyneton meeting with school principals, teachers and students about the urgent needs of their schools. To be frank, their urgent needs list is just too long."

"This is on top of the $555 million the State Government has already ripped from our schools since coming to power."

Ms Chesters said if Mr Napthine refuses to sign up to the Labor Government's National Plan School Improvement, Victorian schools and students will be hit twice as hard.

"The Federal Government has put a fair deal on the table for Mr Napthine - offering to invest two dollars for every extra one dollar they put in."

State Liberal Member for the Northern Victoria, Donna Petrovich is yet to comment on the issues with education funding, but said the government is committed to improving Victorian lifestyle by investing in education, infrastructure, health, transport, environment and the economy.

"The Victorian Coalition Government's 2013-14 Victorian State Budget invests in major infrastructure and high-quality services for all Victorians, while ensuring Victoria's finances remain the strongest in the nation," Ms Petrovich said.

Rates to rise

A 6.9 per cent residential rate increase is proposed in the Macedon Ranges Council 2013/14 Draft Budget.
The rate increase will cover $2 million extra investment in public land, infrastructure and facilities, the draft report explains.
It is the first time in six years council has increased its rates above five per cent. The last budget increased rates by 4.8 per cent (average of about $81).
A ratepayer living in a median valued property will pay $1,691 this year compared to $1,582 last year - a difference of $109.
"Once again, this budget is a balanced one. Our recurrent operating income is $63 million and our recurrent operating expenditure is $57.36 million, this means we generate an operating surplus of $5.4 million of which $4.5 million will be invested in capital works and $0.9 million will be spent on new initiatives," mayor, Cr Roger Jukes said.
Council adopted the draft budget, council plan, strategic resource plan, and mayoral and councillor allowances at its special meeting on Wednesday night.
The documents are now open for public comment until Friday May 31.
Cr Jukes said the proposed budget will strengthen livability in the Macedon Ranges.
"The budget includes a $16.6 million capital works program and a range of new initiatives to improve the natural environment and enhance services for families, children, young people and older persons.
"Over $6.2 million has been allocated for the construction and improvement of our road network. It also includes continued investment in our walking and cycling network, with over $400,000 allocated for footpath upgrades across the shire.
"We are also proposing to inject over $2.8 million for the construction of playgrounds, netball courts and sports ovals, plus a further $1.6 million for infrastructure at Hanging Rock-although this is dependent on attracting a government grant to assist."
The council plan 2013-2017 sets out council's vision, goals and objectives over the next four years and for the first time it also incorporates council's public health and wellbeing plan.
The draft budget includes 26 new initiatives including climate change ($40,000), a Trust for Nature covenant for UL Daly Reserve Gisborne ($23,000), community awareness in relation to waste reduction ($20,000), and improving service for planning applications and permits ($85,000).
The capital works program includes roads and bridges construction works ($6.2 million), footpath upgrades ($430,000), developing infrastructure at land to the east of Hanging Rock ($1.55 million) and purchasing land for an early years centre in Gisborne ($700,000).
"We recognise there is a fine balance to be achieved in addressing the environmental, infrastructure and social needs against the economic constraints within the community. I think this draft budget does this and I am pleased with it," Cr Jukes said.
"Although our debt will increase, it is still below prudential levels and it will enable us to invest in some important projects that will provide benefits to the community for many years to come.
"This draft budget is the result of a team effort from all councillors and I'm looking forward to receiving comments and discussing it with the community over the next four weeks."
These documents will be on public display in council offices and at the council website.
Written submissions will be accepted until Friday May 31, and will be considered at a meeting in June.

Students pitch in to address maintenance woes

Labor candidate for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters (left), with Kyneton Primary School student council members, Maggie Copeland and Chloe Meyer, and school council president, Fiona Copeland. The student council is pitching in to raise funds to repair the school's toilets.

Angela Crawford

The desperate need for Kyneton's K-12 Education Precinct to be realised has been further highlighted by increasing maintenance issues faced by both Kyneton Secondary College and Kyneton Primary School.

The most recent example is Kyneton Primary School's antiquated heating system, which broke down during first term and is awaiting repair, hopefully before the students return to school.

School council president, Fiona Copeland, said the maintenance budget won't cover all that needs to be done. 

"It's an old boiler system and needs parts - it's blown out the budget really, the winter's coming in and we really need to have it working," she said.

"There's a lot of things that need repair and issues that have been tagged as priority."

A general clean up and painting of the school's toilets is also needed, so the student council has taken up the task of raising the funds itself.

The students held a 'Guess the Easter Eggs in the Jar' competition before the end of term and raised $120 for the effort.

Labor candidate for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters, visited the school for an assembly last week and was shocked to learn the students had to fundraise themselves to repair the toilets.

"It is shocking enough that young students are fundraising to fix the toilets, however, it's not the only maintenance issue at Kyneton Primary. Other issues challenging the school maintenance budget include a heater that needs repair, loose roof slates and leaking guttering," she said. 

"Principal Wendy Pearce and the Kyneton Primary school teachers are doing an outstanding job. Whilst the teachers, staff and school community are working hard to ensure their students receive a quality education, the state of the school buildings and facilities is appalling."

"Public school maintenance and maintenance budgets are the responsibility of the Victorian State Liberal Government but they are clearly failing meet the funding needs our schools."

Ms Chesters said the Federal Government's National Plan for School Improvement will provide a fairer school funding model for all schools.

"Negotiations are continuing ahead of COAG and we're working hard to secure a deal with all states and systems," she said. 

 "We're asking the State Liberal Government to pay their fair share and commit to the National Plan for School Improvement."