RESIDENTS can have their say on Melton Council’s draft budget at a public meeting in Caroline Springs on Thursday.
Ratepayers face a ‘modest’ average rates increase of 4.5 per cent under a draft budget endorsed by Melton Council.
Mayor Justin Mammarella said the 2012-13 budget was a “balanced” plan, designed to cater for ongoing population growth while taking into account cost of living pressures.
“If adopted by council, a 4.5 per cent increase would put us at the lower end of the scale in rates increases compared to other municipalities in the western region, if not the greater metropolitan region.”
Melton Residents Association president Peter Rowan agreed the council had worked to keep rate rises as low as possible, considering the major infrastructure required in one of Australia’s fastest-growing shires.
But he said the group was disappointed that long-running calls for the construction of a bridge on Abbey Road, joining Brooklyn Road to allow direct access to Melton South from the freeway, was again ignored.
“We are a growing community and we need rate increases to fund major work in the shire,” Mr Rowan said.
The council says more than 20 per cent of households will pay less on rates and charges than in 2011-12, while 58 per cent will see a moderate rise between $0 and $100 and 12 per cent will have an increase between $100 and $200.
A new differential rating category of rural living has been introduced for properties of more than two hectares and less than 10 hectares.
The new rural living rating category will affect 266 properties whose average value this year was $651,750 compared to $592,345 in 2010 – an increase of 10per cent.
An urban growth land rate will apply to 352 properties across an area where the average value of a property was $2.1 million, compared to $1.5 million in 2010 – an increase of 40 per cent.
The draft budget includes $45.9 million for capital works. There are allocations of $2.1 million for community buildings, $11.3 million for road infrastructure works, $8.4 million for recreation works, and $1million for drainage improvements.
Major projects include completion of Melton Library and Learning Hub ($15.4 million),
Botanica Springs Children’s and Community Centre ($3 million), and Atherstone Recreation Reserve ($2.9 million).
Thursday’s meeting is at Caroline Springs Civic Centre from 7pm.
