Councillors voted on Wednesday night to adopt the draft budget for 2014-15, which features a 2.3 per cent rise on residential rates and a five per cent hike in water and sewer charges.

After months of planning, councillors took just a few minutes to send the draft plan to the next stage public exhibition for 28 days.

Councillor Michael Coote had the most to say about the budget on Wednesday, asking a number of questions of council staff.

His first query related to the $300,000 set aside for a cottage at Winburndale Dam, with Cr Coote asking why such a large sum was required.

"The style of cottage and the location of the cottage which is basically in the middle of nowhere means it costs a fair bit to transport bits and pieces out there," engineering services director Doug Patterson replied.

Next, Cr Coote asked why the cottage was needed.

Mr Patterson: “We are required to monitor the dam on a daily basis and, especially during flood times, it’s almost essential to have someone on-site at all times throughout the flood event.

“We also need to keep a close eye on the dam on a regular basis, otherwise we’ll have certain young people coming out and using it in all sorts of ways.”

Cr Coote asked whether the $1 million earmarked for the next stage of the manganese removal project would be enough to complete the project.

“The [$3 million] in the budget for the current financial year will cover the majority of the manganese removal but this [$1 million] is for the next stage,” Mr Patterson said.

“Along with this year’s budgeted amount, that will be enough to complete the project.”

Cr Jess Jennings expressed concerns over the growing cost to council to help fund Bathurst’s 24-hour fire station – slated in the budget to rise from $157,000 in 2013-14 to more than $200,000 in 2014-15 – and asked whether council could raise the matter with Bathurst MP Paul Toole.

Corporate services and finance director Bob Roach said council had regular discussions with Mr Toole about state charges but council was aware of its obligations in relation to the fire station when it converted to a 24-hour operation.

Following the meeting, Cr Bobby Bourke made a plea for the public to become involved in the budget process.

He said council usually received just five or six submissions once the draft budget went on public display but he would like to hear from many more ratepayers.

“It’s their money we’re talking about so people have to take an interest,” he said.