By Tate Papworth
A Brimbank councillor has questioned whether the council is taking enough risks with its finances.
The council last week announced an operating surplus of $36.3 million for the 2018-19 financial year, but Cr John Hedditch questioned whether the council’s low-risk approach was the way to go.
“These results will place council’s overall financial sustainability in the ‘low’ risk category,” he said.
“This is a question I’ve continually asked, but I will keep asking it. Does the CEO think, going forward, this is too conservative as a risk grading for a community with such high needs?”
Cr Hedditch said that in his opinion Brimbank had been short-changed by both state and federal governments, leaving the council to pick up the ball.
“It would be over-arched by the fact that Brimbank, as one of Melbourne’s most needy communities, is being asset and cash-stripped by the Victorian government through things like school land sales and pokies taxes and fines – to name three, yet receives very little financial support from the Victorian or federal treasuries.
“This forces a rethink on how best to make things happen locally while not sinking the ship financially.”
Cr Hedditch acknowledged key projects such as the Melbourne Airport Rail Link will benefit Brimbank, but said he’d like to see investment made on much-needed local projects as well as major metro ones. He said other options needed to be considered.
“Council itself has been running a low-risk financial strategy while the need for community services and infrastructure has been growing.
“Council is doing some very good things but in my opinion could, and should, be doing more and taking more risk with the council finances as there is no sign of any significant support from Victorian or federal governments.
“Brimbank residents and ratepayers in my personal opinion should support council to pick up the ‘risk’ ball because the Victorian and federal governments have shown they definitely won’t support this community in a fair way.”
He highlighted a lack of funds for the
St Albans Leisure Centre and the Upper Stony Creek project stalemate as other examples.
“It’s sad to have to push for a needy community like Brimbank to take a more risky financial profile but what other option is there?”
