By Laura Michell
New community centres will be built in Mickleham and Kalkallo, sports reserves and pavilions will be built and upgraded across the municipality, and Aitken Boulevard and Roxburgh Park Drive will be duplicated as part of Hume council’s proposed 2020-21 budget.
Councillors adopted the draft budget last Monday, proposing to spend $106 million on capital works projects next financial year.
The draft budget includes an average rates rise of two per cent.
The council is planning to spend $7.9 million to construct the Merrifield North Community Centre, with $3.3 million also set aside for the Kalkallo Community Centre.
The draft budget includes $6.3 million for new and upgraded pavilions at nine reserves, including Boardman Reserve and Langama Park in Sunbury and Gladstone Park Reserve.
There is also $3.3 million for the Mount Aitken District Recreation Reserve in Craigieburn and $2.6 million for the creation of rugby pitches, facilities and car parking at Seabrook Reserve in Broadmeadows, which will become the home of rugby league in Victoria.
Craigieburn’s Aitken Boulevard will be duplicated between Marathon and Grand boulevards at a cost of $2.8 million, while $3.8 million will be spent to complete the duplication of Roxburgh Park Drive.
The council also plans to spend at least $5.5 million to help the community respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hume mayor Carly Moore said the budget was an investment in Hume’s growing community.
“We are moving ahead with the biggest infrastructure program in our history and boosting funding to essential day-to-day services to help respond to the impacts of the coronavirus,” she said.
The budget also flags more than 500 projects which will need to be completed over the next four years, including expanding the Hume Global Learning Centre at Broadmeadows and redeveloping the former Craigieburn Leisure Centre.
“It is an important time to continue to invest in our community, and that is why we have earmarked a record $430 million over the next four years to deliver more than 500 new capital works projects,” Cr Moore said.
Residents can have their say on the draft budget until June 10.
Details: hume.vic.gov.au
