By Laura Michell
Rates notices have begun hitting letterboxes across Whittlesea, prompting the council to break down exactly how every $100 of rates money will be spent.
Mayor Lawrie Cox said the council budgeted carefully each year to ensure the best value for every dollar.
He said balancing the budget was challenging, with rates collected to fund services such as rubbish collections and road maintenance and help build projects such as playgrounds and recreation facilities.
“It’s always a challenge meeting the needs of our growing community and we have limited financial capacity,” Cr Cox said.
“We appreciate that people have taken the time to consider the budget – we had 30 submissions from the community which were considered.
WHERE YOUR RATES GO:
For every $100 of rates, council spends:
• $32 on new facilities and infrastructure
• $13 on neighbourhood parks and open spaces
• $13 on waste, recycling and the environment
• $11 on family, children, youth and seniors
• $8 on roads and footpaths
• $9 on leisure, recreation and community facilities
• $5 on supporting local business and communities
• $3 on public health and safety
• $3 on animal management and school crossings
• $2 on libraries
• $1 on arts and culture
“Our budget this year will see a significant investment in roads, traffic management around schools and sporting and leisure facilities.”
According to the council, it spends most on new facilities and infrastructure, with $32 from $100 of rates spent in that area.
It spends the least on arts and culture, allocating $1 of every $100 to that category.
The council also spends $13 on neighbourhood parks and open space; $13 on waste, recycling and environment; $11 on family, children, youth and seniors; $9 on leisure, recreation and community facilities; $8 on roads and footpaths; $5 supporting local businesses and communities; $3 on public heath and safety; $3 on animal management and school crossings; and $2 on libraries.
