By Laura Michell
A capital works program worth close to $84 million is the centrepiece of Whittlesea council’s draft 2020-21 budget, which also includes a proposed COVID-19 community recovery fund.
Administrator Lydia Wilson adopted the draft budget yesterday, describing it as “responsible” and “balanced”.
She said while COVID-19 continues to present challenges for council and the community, a clear path has been set for a strong and successful future.
The draft budget proposes to establish a $2 million COVID-19 community recovery fund, which will be co-designed with local businesses, sporting clubs, community groups and residents.
“This will be a great opportunity for our organisation and community to work together and navigate how we recover from this unprecedented time in world history that has shaken our economy, disrupted the way we work, and stalled people’s day-to-day lives,” Ms Wilson said.
The draft budget also includes a $83.86 million capital works program, which includes $3.29 million for the Mernda Sports Hub and $2.53 million to upgrade McLeans Road Kindergarten in Bundoora.
The council is also proposing to spend $13.05 million on works on Boundary Road, $3 million to complete the extension of Findon Road to Plenty Road, and $4.3 million to construct a community activity centre west of Epping Road.
Rates will rise by an average of two per cent, in keeping with the state government cap on rates rises.
Ms Wilson said the council proposed to raise its waste charge by two per cent.
She said the council had absorbed “a significant portion” of the increase in waste costs since the separate waste charge was introduced in 2018-19, with council’s recycling costs rising by $1.1 million and the state government increasing the landfill levy by 30 per cent.
“Despite these significant increases to our bottom line, we propose an increase of only two per cent be added to the waste charge in 2020-21 so our residents are not burdened by covering the full extent of recycling and the huge rise in the landfill levy,” Ms Wilson said.
The draft budget will be available for comment from Saturday, April 18 to Friday, May 29. A special council meeting will be held on Thursday, June 25 to adopt the final budget.
Details: whittlesea.vic.gov.au
