Hume council’s 2015-16 draft budget includes a five per cent rate rise and record spending on infrastructure.
The draft, presented to councillors on Monday night, is expected to be formally adopted next month.
Hume chief executive Domenic Isola said the rate rise was flagged last year in the council’s strategic resource plan.
On top of the five per cent rate hike, residents will face a 0.3 per cent landfill levy, payable to EPA Victoria.
Hume mayor Adem Atmaca said Sunbury’s secession from Hume wasn’t factored into this year’s budget.
“It wouldn’t be fair. We’ve promised people in Sunbury certain services,” he said.
The state government’s plans to cap council rates to inflation in the 2016-17 financial year also had no bearing on the draft budget, Cr Atmaca said.
The proposed budget includes a record $64 million for new capital works.
Big-ticket items include $21.4 million for major leisure facilities, including the new Hume Regional Aquatic and Sports Centre at Craigieburn, a warm-water pool at Sunbury Aquatic Centre and a basketball court and community space at the Greenvale Recreation Centre.
More than $11 million would be spent building or upgrading parks and reserves, $9 million on civic buildings and $6.8 million on new footpaths and drainage.
New roads would be funded to the tune of $11 million.
Hume residents have until June 10 to comment on the proposed budget. Feedback should be sent to the Chief Executive Officer, Hume City Council. PO Box 119, Dallas, VIC, 3047, or via email to email@hume.vic.gov.au.
