AT A GLANCE
- 2.5 per cent rate increase in line with cap
- $50 million for infrastructure works
- $5.5 million to up grade Abey Road
- $2.2 million for bridge at Abey Road over Toolern Creek
- $2.4 million for Westwood Drive bridge over Kororoit Creek
- $1.7 million on a senior football and cricket pitch at Taylors Hill West
- $50,000 for the Diggers Rest Recreation Reserve Master Plan
- $900,000 for a playspace at Atherstone
Melton councillors last night approved the 2016-17 draft budget they say is responsible, conservative and fair.
More than $50 million has been set aside for infrastructure works, including $21.6 million on road works, $11.4 million on community buildings, and $5 million on bridge works.
Rate increases will be capped at 2.5 per cent, with council expecting to rake in about $100 million from rates in the next financial year.
Big ticket items
Among the big-ticket items are $6.5 million to spend on an ‘office space development’; $5.5 million to upgrade Abey Road from Toolern Creek to Ferris Road; and $4.4 million for streetscape improvements in the municipality.
Council has budgeted $2.4 million for a bridge at Westwood Drive over Kororoit Creek, and $2.2 million for a bridge at Abey Road over Toolern Creek.
Money has also been put aside for the first stage of works at the Melton aged care facility at 5 McKenzie Street, and the first year design works for the Melton Civic Centre redevelopment project.
Council officers have also allocated $50,000 for the Diggers Rest Recreation Reserve Master Plan, which includes an additional two hectares of active open space, an indoor active recreation facility, a new pavilion, an extra two tennis courts and an upgrades of the existing active space.
About $3 million has been announced for resurfacing, and upgrading, sealed roads across the municipality, and a further $1.46 million for fixing footpaths.
Council will spend about $1.7 million on a senior football and cricket pitch at Taylors Hill West; $900,000 for a playspace at Atherstone; $208,000 to upgrade tennis courts across the municipality; and $250,000 on design works for the Caroline Springs sub-regional tennis centre.
Asbestos removal from council buildings has also been budgeted and is expected to cost $26,500.
For the first time since being elected in 2012, Watts ward Cr Lara Carli voted in favour of the budget, commending council officers for delivering a “responsible” budget while capping rate increases at 2.5 per cent.
“This is the first year that I have agreed with the council budget,” Cr Carli said. “I can say that I’m very pleased to say [rate increases] are 2.5 percent.
“It’s a responsible budget and I look forward to what our residents have to say.”
Cr Kathy Majdlik urged residents to comment on the draft budget, which is up for public comment until next month.
“It’s a conservative and fair budget, and well constructed and well planned,” Cr Majdlik said. “I encourage all residents to have a look at the draft budget and make comment as your feedback is greatly appreciated and very important.”
‘Good financial position’
Council officers in their report presented to last night’s meeting stated council was in a “good” financial position despite the rate capping restrictions “largely due to additional revenue projected from land sales”.
“In addition, the council has also been successful in attracting state and federal funding from Interface Growth Fund and National Stronger Regional Fund in 2015-16 and 2016-17,” the report states.
“The favourable financial position has resulted in council being able to deliver capital works of $50.7 million and loan repayments of $6.91 million, without additional borrowing in 2016-17.”
The final budget will be adopted by June 27.
