By Alesha Capone
Wyndham council has taken a big hit, recording an operating deficit of $11.5 million for the 2019-20 financial year.
Financial reports, released by the council last week, said the deficit was a result of the council’s COVID-19 rescue packages; depreciation of assets; and higher material and services expenses.
It also took into account a drop in user fees at the Werribee tip, Aqua Pulse, Eagle Stadium, the Civic Centre, community centres and libraries, which have been closed or operating at a reduced capacity due to the pandemic.
According to the reports, the council achieved a surplus of $293.3 million for the 2019-20 financial year – which included all revenue received such as gifted non-monetary subdivisional assets, developer contributions and grants towards capital works projects.
However, one of the reports stated that an “adjusted underlying result” was a “better measure” of council’s operating performance, and resulted in an $11.5 million deficit.
The council has provided grants valued up to $2 million to 285 local businesses, waived more than $1 million in fees and charges and introduced rates rebate for some residents in response to the pandemic.
Another key focus has been providing food relief for community members, who are without access to fresh food due to pandemic restrictions, financial difficulty or isolation.
At a council meeting last week, Cr Mia Shaw said that the Encore Events Centre in Hoppers Crossing has been transformed into a community kitchen, preparing meals and hampers for local food banks to distribute.
Since the beginning of August, the community kitchen has produced 11,100 meals and 1740 hampers.
The council Youth Resource Centre’s Food Bank has also provided more than 1330 food parcels to residents since March.
“I think it’s an absolutely fantastic effort during COVID … some of the ways we have been supporting people in our community during this very difficult time,” Cr Shaw said.
Cr Heather Marcus said the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have had a huge effect.
“There will be bigger impacts to come, because Wyndham has been harder hit than any others [municipalities].”
