Hume council’s 2014-15 budget is “one of the best ever delivered in Hume’s history”, mayor Casey Nunn believes.
Citing a modest 4.2 per cent rate rise, plus an 0.3 per cent EPA levy per household, Cr Nunn said the Hume budget was prudent without jeopardising service levels.
“Ratepayers face increases in electricity, gas and water bills, and a rise in food, petrol and other living expenses – and we know it can be tough for some families,” Cr Nunn said.
The budget proposes a specific investment of $6.65 million in the next financial year to deliver more than 32 services to the Hume community. This brings the annual services spend to $199.7 million.
An additional $46.7 million will cover more than 200 building projects listed as part of the council’s capital works program and covering works such as the redevelopment of Greenvale Recreation Centre, including a new basketball court, extensions to the gym and new community rooms.
Also on the list is the redevelopment of Sunbury’s Clarke Oval pavilion and upgrades to the Gladstone Park community centre and tennis club; Broadmeadows Valley Park; and the Jack Roper, Tullamarine and Newbury recreation reserves. Roxburgh Park’s Homestead child and family centre will also be redeveloped.
But top of the list for the mayor is a new project, Together 3047.
The council is investing more than $900,000 over the next three years to support neighbourhood-level projects, developed in partnership with local residents and businesses, that generate new work and training opportunities to address the long-term disadvantages faced by residents of postcode 3047, including Broadmeadows, Westmeadows, Jacana and Dallas.
“The 3047 area has been identified as one of the disadvantaged regions in Victoria,” Cr Casey said.
The draft budget council plans were released for public feedback and submissions following the council meeting. Submissions are due by June 11.
