By Sibanengi Dube
Brimbank council is proposing to spend $55.9 million on infrastructure and facilities next financial year, as part of its draft budget.
The 2023-24 draft budget was endorsed by councillors on Tuesday, April 18, and also includes a 3.5 per cent rate rise, in line with the state government’s rates cap.
Council’s capital works budget for 2023-24 is $5.5 million less than 2022-23, when council spent $61.4 million.
Top on the council’s priority list are roads and drainage system which were allocated $27.5 million.
Coming second on the list of primacies are sports facilities that gulped $9.01 million of the $55.9 million total budget set aside for capital works program.
Cr Victoria Borg, hailed the budget as a product of wide consultation aimed at delivering services to communities and promote mental well being.
“It is important to note that there is an allocation of $55.9 million in capital works to deliver essential infrastructure projects services. Mental well being was one of our priorities considered in supporting people in communities. Mental health related problems continue to contribute to the silent pandemic that is inflicting our community,” Cr Borg said.
Playgrounds, parks and gardens were allocated $7.1 million, while $5.4 million, will go into upgrading community amenities and early learning facilities.
A total of $4.5 million was allocated to assets management, including $800,000 for library books and $1.8 million for the cyclical replacement of plant and vehicle fleet. Another $1.9 million will be used for maintaining and upgrading walking and cycling paths.
Cr Jae Papalia said financial constraints did not deter them from allocating more money parks, gardens, walking and cycling paths.
“Mental health and sports facilities was put on our agenda again this year and the catch up work is still being done. It is good to see that even in such challenging time we could see these things being put through,” Cr Papalia said.
Brimbank councillors identified shifting demographics, changes to government policy and constrained financial environment as budget challenges which were creating pressure on the way services and infrastructure were funded and delivered.
Brimbank Council is inviting members of the community to provide a feedback on the Draft Annual Budget for 2023-2024.
Feedback must be provided by Thursday 18 May 2023 and community members who are keen to contribute should visit yoursay.brimbank.vic.gov.au
