Michaela Meade
Whittlesea council says its 2021-22 budget will focus on helping the city recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Council’s administrators adopted the draft budget earlier this month, which includes a $76.4 million capital works program, down from $84 million in 2020-21.
The council is proposing to fund the Whittlesea Public Gardens master plan, McLeans Road kindergarten redevelopment, Quarry Hills Regional Park implementation, and an extension to Findon Road from Williamsons Road to Danaher Drive as part of the capital works program.
Council chair administrator Lydia Wilson said: “This is clearly a year for us to be resetting our priorities, to really be doing as much as we can in relation to COVID recovery, and for really responsible financial management.
“[There is an] increased emphasis within the draft budget on economic development, and also a renewed commitment to customer service and engagement.
“We’re clearly committed to COVID recovery efforts.”
Administrator Peita Duncan said the proposed budget was “fantastic”.
“[It’s emphasising] connecting community and neighbourhoods and ensuring this considerable budget [funds] those community infrastructure activities that we really need.”
Ratepayers are facing an average rate rise of 1.5 per cent, in keeping with the state government’s cap on rates rises.
Waste charges will increase by an average of 1.5 per cent, with the average residential property to pay $114.40 in waste charges.
The average waste charge for commercial and industrial properties will be $175.70.
Overall rates and charges will be $1878 for the average residential ratepayer, the council said.
This is an increase of 2.39 per cent from the 2020-21 average price of $1835, council said.
A cash surplus of $0.36 million was flagged in the draft budget , a change from the 2020-21 surplus of $0.02 million.
The draft budget is available for public consultation until Wednesday, May 5.
