The City of Boroondara will update infrastructure, introduce new programs and continue to work for the benefit of the community following the adoption of Council's 2019-2020 Budget at Monday night's Council meeting.
The 2019-2020 Budget continues to implement commitments outlined in the 10-year Boroondara Community Plan, adopted by Council in 2018 after feedback from over 11,800 residents.
Council's Proposed Budget 2019-2020 was released for public consultation between 1 to 29 May and was adopted following consideration of submissions from the community.
In 2019-20 the City of Boroondara is investing in a number of new major projects, including the implementation of a Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) kerbside waste collection service.
Mayor of Boroondara Cr Jane Addis said that the FOGO service would make a large impact on the amount of waste collected across the City.
"From May 2020, the FOGO collection will allow residents to put food waste and garden waste into the same bin. The waste will be processed into soil conditioning products; thereby increasing resource recovery and reducing landfill", Cr Addis said.
"Our residents have been asking for this service, so we have brought its implementation forward to meet their expectations."
Council research has found that Boroondara's household waste bins can contain up to 46 per cent food waste. With this waste going to FOGO collection from May 2020, the amount of waste sent to landfill will reduce by up to 19,000 tonnes per year.
Another major project is the Boroondara Customer First program. Over the next couple of years, Council will work towards providing customers multiple means of communication and a payment platform, meaning people can interact with Council on their terms: anytime, anywhere, on any device.
"This project is critical to delivering an improved service and experience for the community. We will transform the way in which we interact with people to ensure there is more convenience and ease when dealing with Council", said Cr Addis.
The City of Boroondara has also allocated funds towards the provision of high quality infrastructure, as well as a range of services including family, youth, recreation, health, library and aged care support services for the community in Boroondara.
"This Budget will ensure Boroondara continues to be a great place to live, work and play", said Cr Addis.
City of Boroondara 2019-20 Budget highlights
For full Budget papers, see www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/budget-2019-20
Significant major projects include:
- a new Kew Recreation Centre ($61.2 million over four years)
- a new Canterbury Community Precinct ($11.7 million over three years)
- an upgraded Balwyn Community Centre ($8.7 million over two years)
- a redeveloped Camberwell Community Centre ($8.1 million over two years)
- a new Ashburton Seniors Centre ($7.7 million over two years).
Council's high level of service provision to residents will continue. These services include expenditure of:
- $9.5 million to provide library services seven days a week
- $12.1 million on aged, health services including immunisation and aged care support for vulnerable members of our community
- $6.9 million on family, youth and recreation services
- $17.8 million for parks and gardens, biodiversity and street trees maintenance
- $3.3 million on arts and cultural services and events
- $10.6 million for planning, development and building controls
- $11.4 million for maintenance of the city's infrastructure including buildings, drainage, footpaths, roads and shopping centres.
Some of the initiatives for Environment and Sustainable Living in the budget include:
- $250,000 in efficiency upgrades and solar PV (photovoltaics) which follows the successful completion of our Energy Performance Contract Project, which has seen $2.5 million dollars in energy efficiency upgrades
- $41,000 for the Boroondara Sustainable Living Festival to provide an opportunity for community to learn new skills to live more sustainably. The festival will be additional to our popular Living for Our Future workshops, Compost Revolution and Positive Charge programs, which will continue to provide sustainability resources and information for our community.
Some exciting service initiatives include:
- $589,000 to design and implement a Digital Early Years Hub, which will make it easier for residents to find activities, services and information for their families
- $431,000 implementing the tree strategy action plan
- $275,000 on a Boroondara-wide heritage assessment (five year project with a total expenditure of $1.30 million).
Council will continue to maintain infrastructure at an appropriate standard. In 2019-20 Council will deliver:
- $5.1 million for drainage renewal
- $1.6 million on footpath and cycleway renewal
- $10.2 million on road renewal
- $7.7 million for 23 other community building renewal works and minor works across many of the other properties under Council stewardship.
