DESPITE the current climate of uncertainty, the Gannawarra Shire Council has released its draft 2020/2021 budget, which was adopted by councillors at the April meeting last Wednesday.
Due to the coronavirus crisis, the time frame for the release of council budgets across the state was extended by two months, causing some local governments to delay the process, however, Gannawarra was already well advanced in budget preparation and pushed ahead with releasing the document.
The draft budget sees an average rate increase across all ratepayer categories of 2 per cent, which is the maximum allowable under the state government's Fair Go Rates System, but is 0.5 per cent less than last year's rise.
It also contains moderate rises in rubbish collection charges.

The document shows Gannawarra Shire Council revenue of $36.08 million for 2020/2021, made up of more than $15 million in operating and capital grants as well as $13.7 million raised from ra