Hume’s sporting community is the bigger winner in council’s proposed 2025-26 budget, with money set aside for pavilions, soccer and hockey pitches, reserve upgrades and stadium carparking.
Councillors endorsed the draft budget during a council meeting on May 12.
Council is proposing an average rate rise of 3 per cent in line with the state government rates cap, while the draft budget also includes a $148.28 million capital works program.
Council is proposing to spend close to $13.5 million on pavilions at sporting reserves, with $4.7 million set aside to expand the pavilion at Westmeadows’ Willowbrook Recreation Reserve, $3.45 million proposed to upgrade the pavilion at Craigieburn’s Vic Foster Reserve, $2.66 million budgeted to extend the Hume Hockey Centre pavilion and $2.66 million allocated to construct a pavilion at Greenvale Tennis Club.
The draft budget also aims to address ongoing parking shortages at Craigieburn Sports Stadium, with $2.69 million allocated for the construction of a car park and access road.
The draft budget also includes $1.79 million to redevelop the Johnstone Street Reserve in Jacana, $1.27 million for the renewal of the synthetic soccer pitch at John Ilhan Memorial Reserve in Meadow Heights, $1.21 million for the sports ground upgrade at Bradford Avenue in Greenvale and$3.29 million for continuing construction of the second pitch at the Hume Hockey Centre.
Mayor Jarrod Bell said the budget takes the council back to basics.
“The message has been consistent across our community and from our colleagues around the table. Let’s focus on what matters, deliver on the essentials, let’s not overcomplicate things and get the job done,” he said.
“We are investing heavily in what people expect of their council; local roads, waste services, essential infrastructure, and the facilities that support everyday life across our suburbs.
“This city deserves to see their rates returned in real practical improvements.”
Councillors debated whether the budget was equal for all Hume suburbs, as per community requests.
“I think it is very fair to say that we need to focus on ensuring that we apply even investment across suburbs,” Cr Sam Misho said.
“We should balance our focus on investment on all the suburbs that feel and look extremely underserviced with those of high growth areas, like Sunbury and Craigieburn.”
The proposed budget is available for community feedback until Tuesday, May 27. Have your say at participate.hume.vic.gov.au/draft-council-plan-and-budget
