WELLINGTON Shire Council has recorded an operating surplus of $11.7 million for the three months to March 31.
Council’s quarterly financial and strategic activities report shows the operating surplus was ahead of the budgeted $5 million.
Income is higher than budget because of additional rates raised through the finalisation of some residential subdivisions and other valuations after the budget calculations were completed, as well as additional grants received.
Additional income has been partially offset by lower commercial tipping fees and lower than expected attendance levels for Aqua Energy in Sale.
To the end of the March, $11.03 million has been spent, below the budgeted $16.7 million, and another $700,000 has been committed to the $22.92 million forecast capital expenditure, representing 51 per cent of the entire forecast capital works program.
Of the 126 projects planned for this financial year, a third are complete, and another third have begun.
Of strategic projects, the construction of the Glenmaggie Bridge was completed two months ahead of schedule and the Sale Urban Design Framework was progressing with pavement works outside the post office in Desailly St completed and works beginning on Raymond St adjacent to the mall.
The Commercial Rd drainage project in Yarram was completed on schedule, as was the Heyfield CBD streetscape renewal, while construction of drainage in Marley St, Sale ,was expected to be complete this month.
The beginning of change room upgrades at the Rosedale Recreation Reserve was delayed until April.
