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What affected our 2022–23 Budget

External influences

COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a big impact on our resources. For the first time in history, Boroondara had a budget deficit in the 2020–21 year. We estimate a total net loss of $41 million over financial years 2019–20, 2020–21 and 2021–22. 

Victorian Government

Actions from the Victorian Government have had a big impact on our budget. 

This comes from:

  • the Victorian Government’s rate cap of 1.75%, which doesn’t allow us to fund enough services for our growing population 
  • the Victorian Government’s expected increase to its waste levy by 18.9%, or $20 per tonne. This means it will rise from $105.90 to $125.90 per tonne, an increase of $490,000 in 2022–23. The waste levy changes are part of the Victorian Government’s Recycling Victoria package. This is a 10-year action plan to encourage more recycling and reduce waste going to landfill
  • ongoing cost shifting. This happens when a local government provides a service to the community for the Victorian or Australian Government. Over time, the cost for providing the service goes up, but the funding a local government receives doesn’t match it
  • the Fire Services Property Levy that we collect for the Victorian Government. 

Grant funding

We will receive $2.62 million for capital works grant funding. This includes $1.19 million from the Australian Government for the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program. This program will deliver priority road and community infrastructure projects. 

We will also receive additional grant funding, which includes:

  • $800,000 for the Canterbury Community Precinct from Victorian Government Department of Education and Training
  • $593,811 from the Roads to Recovery Program funding, which we will use for roads and pavement renewal works. 

Internal influences

Internal influences on our budget include projects that aren’t finished or haven’t started yet. This can be because of planning issues, weather delays or a longer consultation with the community. COVID-19 restrictions have also affected the timing and delivery of projects. 

Employee costs are another internal influence. These are mostly driven by Council’s Enterprise. We have included an annual increase of 1.75% for all costs related to employees, such as wages, Work Cover and superannuation. In 2022–23 the compulsory Superannuation Guarantee Scheme (SGC) will also increase from 10.00% to 10.50%.

We will also continue to invest $11.23 million into our Transforming Boroondara project. This project will improve our customers’ experiences and efficiency of Council in the future.