Equality and equity is in the spotlight in the proposed Hume council budget.
Councillor Sam Misho successfully put forward a motion at the May 12 council meeting that will make public a detailed report outlining the funds allocated to each suburb in the new budget.
The purpose is to illustrate the distribution of rates revenue and other applicable funding across suburbs, to provide insights into the equity and rationale behind current and future investment planning.
“There’s a lot of funding that is already injected into population growth corridors, but at the same time I feel that the way in which our ratepayer contributions have not been evenly distributed,” Cr Misho said.
Cr Kate Hamley said the budget process tends to focus on equity rather than equality.
“While I understand the sentiment of it and appreciate that this could improve transparency… I’d also have to say to have a little bit of caution that we’re not reinforcing the whole feeling of its suburb versus suburb or ward versus ward because we are all one city and one Hume,” she said.
Alongside Cr Misho’s motion, a public question also revealed the exact money being spent in capital works in all Hume suburbs in the proposed budget, as well as the rates per suburb.
In terms of capital rates expenditure for the 2025-26 proposed budget, Sunbury will receive the highest amount with $24.2 million, 16 per cent of the program.
This is followed by Craigieburn, who will receive $17.4 million (12 per cent), Broadmeadows with $7.3 million (five per cent), and Greenvale with $6.2 million (four per cent).
Forty-eight per cent of the capital works budget, or $70.5 million will be spent on citywide projects.
In rates, Craigieburn residents will contribute the most with $36.2 million, followed by Sunbury with $31.7 million and Greenvale with $18.6 million, with the total citywide rates contribution being $186 million.
In response to the public question, council chief financial officer Fadi Srour said budget funding isn’t divided by suburb or ward, but instead chosen on a range of factors.
“This balanced and responsible approach means we invest where it’s needed most – based on evidence and community need – not just to make sure every suburb gets the same amount,” he said.
