Hume council’s capital works budget for 2025/26 has been increased to $149 million following community feedback.
At the June 23 council meeting, Cr Sam Misho put forward the motion that the budget be adopted with three new additions after councillors heard from two submitters on the night.
Hadi Buttan from Hume City Football Club and Cemil Yildiz from Broadmeadows Stars attended the meeting to have their say on the budget.
Mr Buttan asked that the planned $1.27 million allocation for the renewal of the synthetic soccer pitch at John Ilhan Memorial Reserve in Meadow Heights include an LED lighting upgrade.
Mr Yildiz wanted an update on Progress Reserve in Coolaroo. In response councillors asked for a detailed project briefing and status update by September 30.
Cr Misho also asked for a project briefing on Elmhurst Reserve and Carrick Drive Senior Citizens Centre by the same date.
After community consultation on the draft budget, the capital works budget has increased to $149.04 million to accommodate five new projects in the northern part of the municipality, funding brought forward for a second green at the Gladstone Park Bowling Club and an increase of $100,00 for further upgrades at the Westmeadows War Memorial.
The five new projects are $250,000 for new portable changeroom facilities for the Upfield Soccer Club at Gibb Reserve, Dallas; $35,000 for a goal cage for Roxburgh Park United Soccer Club at Arena Recreation Reserve, Roxburgh Park; $50,000 to support further investigations for a footpath in
Cambridge Gardens/Mickleham Road; $100,000 for the Fawkner Street Westmeadows streetscape and $30,000 for the Sports Lighting Program.
“We had 108 community ideas that were submitted to us,” Cr Misho said.
“Six were fully funded directly and many others were considered for future planning or already being delivered.
“There were 53 more submissions that led to changes, two of which we heard this evening.”
Priority projects for Hume include $7.64 million for the Jacksons Hill Arts and Cultural Precinct, $4.7 million for Willowbrook Pavilion upgrade and $2.29 million for the Hume Hockey Centre second pitch.
Rates will increase three per cent on average in line with the state government cap.
