Brimbank Council's Draft Annual Budget 2020-2021 will support Council's capital works program of $73.4 million, and deliver new priorities identified by the recovery response needed to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brimbank Mayor Cr Georgina Papafotiou said the Draft Budget plays a critical role in underpinning our recovery efforts and supporting our community through COVID-19, all while delivering much-needed services and programs across our community.
'We remain focused on supporting our community and businesses in a way that is realistic, sustainable and prudent.
'Our priority has always been the health and wellbeing of our community, and supporting them through the pressing public health, social and economic issue we find ourselves facing.
'With this in mind, Council has re-aligned its budget planning process to reflect the support measures contained in Brimbank's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response and Recovery Strategy.
'To help our community during this time, Council will continue delivering the Financial Hardship Policy, for ratepayers and businesses experiencing hardship related to COVID-19, including a rates relief program and payment plan offering no interest charged on debt until 30 June 2021.
'The Draft Budget focuses on investing in ongoing capital works projects and upgrading facilities and open spaces, to ensure our residents enjoy the best possible quality of life.
The Draft Budget features a capital works program of $73.4 million and includes:
- $36.4 million for sports facilities upgrades, including the commencement of the St Albans Leisure Centre Replacement Project and commencement of construction of a number of new sports pavilions and other sports facilities
- $20.2 million for road and footpath improvements
- $3.7 million for town centre upgrades
- $2.6 million for playgrounds, parks and gardens
- $1.2 million for sustainability projects
- $640,000 for bike and shared paths.
'Last year, we heard from many in our community about their budget priorities - we've listened to this feedback and put together a Draft Budget that reflects the things that are important to you.
The Draft Budget includes funding to deliver the much anticipated St Albans Health and Wellbeing Hub in Keilor Downs - the biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken in the history of our municipality.
The 'Australian-first' health and wellbeing hub will bring together a state-of-the-art aquatic and leisure centre, and provide a range of vital health, wellbeing, social, educational and support services that our community will need to help us during the COVID-19 recovery phase.
'Council has taken into consideration the COVID-19 pandemic and has made some tougher financial choices this year. Providing this vital infrastructure forms part of our recovery strategy and our commitment to working on doing what is best for the community.
'The hub is going to be an amazing local destination with something for everyone. We can't wait to deliver it for the community,' Cr Papafotiou said.
Council remains absolutely committed to ensuring that Brimbank is managed in a financially sustainable and responsible way, and equally committed to continuing delivery of critical Council services.
Council continues advocating for the needs of the Brimbank community to promote investment by Federal and State governments, while also seeking investment from the private sector, and finding innovative new ways to deliver our services to the community.
Cr Papafotiou invited the community to review the Draft Budget and provide feedback by Wednesday 22 July 2020. To view the Draft Budget and make a submission, visit www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay
Background
The documents are on public exhibition from Thursday 25 June to Wednesday 22 July 2020.
Proposed Capital Projects
The Draft Budget includes a healthy capital works budget of $73.4 million. We propose to fund a number of key capital works to strengthen and enhance our city, including:
- Road improvements, footpath replacement and repairs, drainage upgrades and kerb replacements ($20.2 million), including the Road Rehabilitation Program ($12 million), and the Footpath Rehabilitation Program ($2.5 million)
- Town centre improvements ($3.7 million), including upgrades to pavements, landscaping, street furniture and pedestrian links. This includes $2.9 million for completion of the Hampshire Road Civic Green, and upgrade of three activity centres at Northumberland Road, Sunshine North, St Albans Road precinct, and Warwick Road Sunshine North.
- Sport facilities upgrades and enhancements ($36.4 million), including the commencement of the St Albans Leisure Centre Replacement Project, detailed design plan for a new sports ground and facilities at Green Gully Reserve Northern Precinct, commencement of construction of new sports pavilions including More Park, Ardeer, and Bon Thomas Reserve, in Deer Park. As well as female sports facilities upgrades at Keilor Park Synthetics, and sportsground lighting upgrades at several locations
- Playgrounds, parks and gardens ($2.6 million), including Suburban Park upgrades to Balmoral Reserve, Derrimut; Evergreen Reserve, Albanvale; Northumberland Road Reserve, Sunshine North, playground and skate park development in the Errington Reserve, St Albans, and a new off-leash dog park at Kevin Flint Memorial Reserve, Cairnlea
- Sustainability projects ($1.2 million) in sustainability initiatives to reduce future costs
- Bike paths and shared paths to connect our city ($640,000)
- Asset improvements ($4 million) including $800,000 for library books, and $2.4 million for the cyclical replacement of plant and vehicle fleet
- Improvements to community facilities including upgrades to existing community and early learning facilities ($1.2 million)
- Traffic management ($1.5 million), including safety improvements at various locations across Brimbank
- Drainage rehabilitation ($1.2 million)
See: Brimbank Draft Budget 2020-2021: Rates and Revaluation Fact Sheet
