Revitalising the Mill Park Leisure and Service Centre, constructing new soccer pitches across the municipality and extending Findon Road are centrepieces of Whittlesea council’s draft budget for 2017-18.
The draft budget, which was adopted by councillors last week, proposes to spend $54 million on capital works in a bid to improve roads and facilities.
It includes a rate rise of two per cent, in keeping with a state government cap on local rate increases.
The council has also flagged its intention to increase the discount on the differential farm rate from 15 per cent to 40 per cent in an effort to ease the rates burden on farm landowners.
Mayor Ricky Kirkham said it had been a challenge to strike a balance between providing what the community expects and wants, with what the council can afford.
“Over the past 12 months, council has continued to review and refine its operations in a bid to reduce costs where we can,” he said.
“We’ve looked at how our resources are allocated, and we strive to deliver our services as efficiently and effectively as possible.”
The draft budget includes money for more than 100 new projects.
The council plans to spend $2 million to commence the redevelopment of the Mill Park Leisure and Service Centre. And it has set aside $500,000 to start the refurbishment of the Whittlesea aquatic centre.
Lalor West and Doreen South reserves will each get two new soccer pitches and a pavilion, at a cost of $2.95million and $3.93million, respectively. A new pavilion and carpark will be built for the soccer facilities at Harvest Home Road, valued at $2 million.
The council proposes to spend $11 million on roads, footpaths and bike paths.
This includes $3 million to start the process of land acquisition prior to construction of the Findon Road extension from Great Eastern Way to Plenty Road.
Cr Mary Lalios said the draft budget balances the need to provide infrastructure and services in the city’s growth areas with the need to replace infrastructure in its older suburbs.
She said the inclusion of funding for a BMX track at Mill Park’s Sycamore Reserve was a particular highlight for her.
The council is proposing to spend $100,000 to develop the track, with a further $400,000 allocated for a pavilion.
“The community has been waiting for more than 13 years for this project to be delivered,” Cr Lalios said.
Cr Sam Alessi said he was thrilled the draft budget included $15,000 to make alterations to Thomastown’s Spring Street hall.
Residents can have their say on the draft budget until Friday, May 5.
Details: www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au
