By Laura Michell
Five community groups across Whittlesea are set to benefit from new projects and increased support after the council boosted its budget spending by more than $161,000.
The council’s administrators adopted the 2020-21 budget last Tuesday, adding funding for the Whittlesea State Emergency Service, Bubup Wilam, Whittlesea Courthouse visitor centre, the Whittlesea Country Music Festival and BMX riders in Doreen.
The council plans to spend more than $84 million on capital works this financial year including $20,000 to support the operational work of the Whittlesea SES and $11,200 to support the Whittlesea Courthouse Visitor Information Centre.
The council has also added plans to work with the Doreen community on a proposal to build BMX dirt jumps in the suburb. The council had committed $50,000 to the project subject to feasibility and risk assessment.
Bubub Wilam Aboriginal Child and Family Centre will receive $15,000 to engage elders and respected persons from the Aboriginal community to source, research and narrate untold stories.
The council will also engage an independent festival professional to provide advice and guidance to the Whittlesea Country Music Festival committee at a cost of $15,000, while the festival will also receive $50,000 over three years to help the committee deliver a financially sustainable event.
The budget also includes a $2 million COVID-19 community recovery fund, which will be co-designed with local businesses, sporting clubs, community groups and residents.
Chair of the administrators, Lydia Wilson said the budget reflected the difficult time the community was experiencing.
“It is important that we work together to ensure our community is resilient and our local businesses remain strong and continue to operate,” Ms Wilson said.
“Our local businesses have taken a huge economic hit these past few months, and I am pleased that two streetscape projects – Thomastown and Lalor – are included in this year’s budget and look forward to this work boosting their vitality and appeal.”
