RCoW Budget surplus will be spent

Source: Wangaratta Chronicle 01.08.08

Federal funds bonus adds to roads, works

Written by Natalie Kotsios.

RURAL City of Wangaratta has found itself with a budget surplus of more than $330,000, following a Federal Government financial assistance grant delivered this week.

Out of the total $444 million in grants announced for Victorian local governments, Wangaratta will receive $5,360,249 - $3,544,590 for general purpose use, and the remainder for roads.

While council receives a certain amount of Federal Government assistance each year, with this year’s larger than expected leaves it with $331,000 not budgeted for.

Director of infrastructure services, Stephen Onions, said council was thrilled with the amount, however, no decision on how to spend the money would be made just yet.

"It’s great to see we’ve got a bit of a lift," he said.

"When we sit down at the budget review in November, we’ll be looking at how the windfall can be best put to use."

Mr Onions said council was obliged to work with what it had budgeted for so far, and that a project listing would be given to councillors to make a formal decision at the end of the year.

"We might be able to finish projects earlier, or it might be an opportunity to bring other projects forward that weren’t possible before," he said.