Community budget briefings: ask the Mayor and CEO about the City of Ballarat’s 2021/22 draft budget

Ballarat residents and ratepayers will have the chance to hear more about the City of Ballarat’s 2021/22 draft budget at two special events in the next fortnight. 

A community budget briefing, hosted by City of Ballarat Mayor Daniel Moloney and Chief Executive Officer Evan King will be held at Ballarat Town Hall next Wednesday 26 May, from 12 noon to 12.45pm.  

A second community briefing will be held on Monday 31 May, at Ballarat Town Hall, from 5.30pm to 6.15pm. 

Registration is essential – you can register to attend either event by visiting the mysay page of the City of Ballarat website, clicking the draft budget tab and enter your details on the registration form. 

City of Ballarat Mayor Daniel Moloney said the community briefing was a new opportunity for community members to get an in-depth presentation about the draft budget and the draft revenue and rating plan. 

“This is about being upfront with our community. We hold briefings each year for our local media to explain the detail of the draft budget and provide a chance to ask questions about what’s in it.”  

“This year we are extending the same opportunity to everyone,” Cr Moloney said.  

“Ratepayers rightly want to know their rates and the other grants Council receives are being directed to the right areas and for the right reasons.  

“Community feedback through the Ballarat: Our Future process has helped shape this draft budget, and its focus on delivering key infrastructure and services while managing sustainable growth and prioritising our environment.” 

“We want to give the chance for our community to hear about that first-hand and to ask questions about their areas of interest.” 

I encourage anyone who wants to know more to come to the briefing next Wednesday.” 

City of Ballarat Chief Executive Officer Evan King said there is also plenty of time left to make a submission to Council about the 2021/22 draft budget. 

“The community budget briefings are separate from the usual draft budget submissions process. For anyone unable to attend the briefings, the draft budget is available in full on the mysay page of the City of Ballarat’s website.  

“On the same page you’ll find details about how to make a written submission about the draft budget, including if you would like to support a written submission verbally at the unscheduled Council meeting on 9 June.” 

“Submissions received will help shape this and future City of Ballarat budgets.” 

How to Have Your Say on the 2021/22 Draft Budget   

If you’d like to share your thoughts, you have a few options. Go to mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au, click on the draft budget link, fill out the quick online form and submit. Or you can send a submission clearly marked “Draft Budget 2021/2022  via mail to PO Box 655 Ballarat Vic 3353, or email to governance@ballarat.vic.gov.au. Submissions must be received before 9.00 am on Monday 7 June 2021.   

 Council will consider all submissions about the 2021/22 Draft Budget at an Unscheduled Meeting of Council to be held at 6.30pm, Wednesday 9 June 2021 in the Council Chamber, Ballarat Town Hall. If you would like to support your submission by speaking in person at the meeting, please let us know as part of your submission.