Tara Murray
Youth support and a review of mental health services have been included in Brimbank council’s annual budget for 2021-22.
The council adopted its final budget last week, with rates to rise by an average of 1.5 per cent next financial year.
The council is proposing to continue its hardship policy and to fund additional pensioner rebates of $25.
The budget also included a capital works budget of $82.67 million.
Following community submissions, the council made six changes to the budget that was originally proposed in April.
They include $200,000 for the 2021-2022 COVID-19 recovery community grants program to include a youth support category for community groups and organisations to support young people in Brimbank throughout the pandemic and $25,000 for the council to prepare a report providing analysis of mental health service provisions.
There will also be no fee increase for seniors fees across all community facilities.
Deputy mayor Jasmine Nguyen said the most recent lockdown has shown that the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t over and that the community still needs council’s support.
“I welcome the foresight to include measures to continue to support our community through the …COVID-19 response and recovery strategy,” she said.
“Our community has done it tough.
“No one can deny that our young people are among our most vulnerable, we have an opportunity here to make a positive impact to our young people.”
Cr Nguyen said that the time was perfect to look at the mental health services in the municipality. The report will be presented to council before February next year.
The state government has announced funding for several mental health projects in the area in the last 12 months.
“The pandemic negative impact on mental health of our community, stress, anxiety, as well as social isolation and loneliness are prevalent,” she said.
“The council currently provides mental health programs and the question here is what more can be done.
“It will allow us to understand our needs and be proactive step to building our community.”
