The City of Boroondara's Proposed Budget 2019-20 was presented at Monday night's Council meeting, and will be available for public comment between 1 to 29 May.
Mayor of Boroondara Cr Jane Addis said with the development of each budget, Council works diligently to balance the needs of our diverse and growing community.
"Through this Proposed Budget, we are making significant investments in a number of projects, including the implementation of a Food Organics and Green Organics service. Previously planned for introduction in 2022-23, we have brought forward the delivery of this important initiative to the 2019-20 financial year in response to community expectation and environmental challenges.
"We are also making a significant commitment to the Boroondara Customer First Program, to transform the way in which we interact with our customers, to ensure they experience convenience and ease when dealing with Council. Be it using our services, accessing information or making transactions online, we want to provide our community with the means to interact with us in their preferred way; anytime, anywhere, using any device. The business case for this program identifies $182 million of benefits for the community and Council from an investment of $129 million over the next 15 years.
"The provision of quality infrastructure remains a high priority in this Proposed Budget, with $75.6 million dedicated to the renewal and construction of community centres in the coming year. These developments will ensure we can continue to meet the needs of our growing community," said Cr Addis.
Some of the major projects in the Proposed Budget are:
- 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 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 we 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.
"The 2019-20 Proposed Budget has been prepared in response to Council's commitment to providing what residents told us is important to them, responsible financial management and the Victorian Government's rate cap for 2019-20. This Proposed Budget continues to implement the commitments contained in our 10-year Boroondara Community Plan, which was developed based upon the feedback we received from over 11,800 residents, and was adopted by Council in 2018.
"With the many allocations in this Proposed Budget, we can ensure Boroondara continues to be a vibrant and inclusive City, meeting the needs and aspirations of the community," said Cr Addis.
Copies of the Proposed Budget 2019-20 are available through Council's website, customer service centres and libraries, or by emailing [email protected].
Comments or submissions are invited from 1 May to 5pm 29 May and can be made through Council's website, by emailing [email protected] or by post to Private Bag 1, Camberwell VIC 3124.
Public submissions will be heard at the Council meeting on 11 June. Following consideration of submissions, the Proposed Budget 2019-20 will be presented to Council for adoption on 24 June.
