Council Plan, Proposed Budget 2021-22, and Revenue and Rating Plan

Published on 20 April 2021

At tonight’s Ordinary Council Meeting, Councillors endorsed three key strategic Council documents to go out to the community for public exhibition – the Draft Council Plan 2021-25, Proposed Budget 2021-22, and Revenue and Rating Plan.  

The Proposed Budget has been developed to meet the needs of local residents and businesses, recognising the ongoing impacts of the COVID pandemic on our community.  

‘We know 2020 was a tough year and that the impacts of the pandemic continue to be felt. This is why economic and community recovery is high on our agenda, as is delivering the services and facilities that are important to you,’ said Mayor, Cr Michael Clarke.  

With this in mind, Council has endeavored to deliver a budget that is responsible and balanced, provides a strong capital program and is responsive to the growing needs of our community.  

‘This has been no easy task – especially given the decision last year to implement a zero rates increase, divert $11 million dollars to COVID relief over two years and a seven million dollar shortfall in revenue,’ Mayor Clarke continued.  

Council’s Proposed Budget invests in a vision for an inclusive, flourishing, progressive city that cares for both its residents and its environment as outlined in our Draft Council Plan 2021-25.  

We heard through feedback on the Council Plan that our community wants better roads and footpaths and more trees, facilities, amenities, and services – especially for the young, aged and disadvantaged.  

‘We want you to know that we have heard you. The challenge for us has been how we deliver more and better facilities and services you are asking for on a finite income while at the same time some in our community are calling for reduced spending to lower rates,’ Mayor Clarke said.  

The Draft Council Plan outlines how Council intends to address these challenges, along with our commitment to: enhancing liveability, being clean and green, responding to the climate emergency, providing open spaces, and building a well maintained city that will meet the needs of our diverse community over the next four years and beyond.  

The community is now invited to view and provide feedback on the Draft Council Plan 2021-25, Proposed Budget 2021-22, and Revenue and Rating Plan. 

How to have your say

Community feedback is invited from 21 April to 20 May.  

Draft Council Plan 2021-25

Council is inviting community feedback on the Draft Council Plan 2021-25 via our online community engagement platform Your City Your Voice: www.yourcityyourvoice.com.au

Proposed Budget 2021-22

Council is inviting community feedback on the proposed Budget 2021-22 and Revenue and Rating Plan via our online community engagement platform Your City Your Voice: www.yourcityyourvoice.com.au  

There are a number of ways you can have your say: 

• Council will host a live streamed Question and Answer (Q&A) session on the Proposed Budget 2021-22 and Revenue and Rating Plan via a moderated webinar session on 28 April 2021 from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. The Mayor, Cr Michael Clarke and CEO Stephen Wall will be available to provide live responses to questions from the community. Click here to register for the live streamed Question and Answer (Q&A) session.
• Ask questions via the Your City Your Voice Platform – from 3-10 May: Council’s Executive Team will be answering questions submitted online via Your City Your Voice from 3-10 May.  
• Written Submissions by Post: Members of the public are invited to make written submissions on the Proposed Budget 2021-22 and Revenue and Rating Plan. Written submissions must be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Maribyrnong City Council, PO Box 58 Footscray 3011, and will be received until 5pm on 20 May, 2021.  
• Emailed submissions: Written submissions may be emailed to budgetsubmissions@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au
• Online submissions: Submissions can also be made online at www.yourcityyourvoice.com.au
• Community Group Meetings: We will also be engaging with a number of key stakeholder groups virtually and online in relation to the budget.    

For more information and to have your say, visit yourcityyourvoice.com.au