Borough launches budget consultation

Published on 27 October 2022

Council budget brochures stacked on top of each other

The Borough of Queenscliffe is again turning to the community and inviting them to have their say on how Council funds should be prioritised as part of its 2023–24 budget consultation.

The success of the 2020–21 budget exercise, plus an increased certainty in financial planning in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, are the catalysts behind Council’s decision to reprise the detailed online survey for this year’s upcoming budget.

“Our community knows Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale better than anyone, which is why we’re so pleased to be calling on their deep local knowledge and expertise as part of this engagement,” said Queenscliffe Mayor Ross Ebbels.

“More than 240 people took part in the 2020–21 budget consultation, and we’re hoping to boost those numbers even higher this time around. The greater the amount of people that take part, the better representation we have of what the community truly values and expects from Council in the coming year,” continued Mayor Ebbels.

Everyone, from permanent residents to seasonal stayers and short-trip visitors, is encouraged to take part. Survey participants will again be asked their suggestions on new project ideas in five key budget categories, as well as the level of funds that should be directed towards certain areas of the budget.

“The suggestions made by participants help guide the future direction of Council, and that level of granular detail provided has been the kickstart required to complete some really popular projects over the last few years,” said Borough CEO Martin Gill.

“The top ideas in the last extended budget consultation were footpaths, tree planting and recycling, and Council have taken great strides in each of those areas since. Council is looking forward to again receiving that comprehensive level of feedback from our passionate community,” continued Mr Gill.

To learn more about the project and to take the survey, visit boq.news/budget23-24. The survey is scheduled to close at 11:59pm on Sunday 20 November.