Brimbank Council's Draft Annual Budget 2019-2020 will support Council's work to create a vibrant, harmonious Brimbank – with a significant increase in Council's Capital Works spend to $85.8 million.
Brimbank Mayor Cr Lucinda Congreve said the vast majority of residential ratepayers – 72 per cent – would receive a reduction in their rates for 2019-2020 under the Draft Budget.
The Draft Budget featured an extensive capital works program, including:
- $32 million for sports facilities upgrades, including $3.4 million for a new sports pavilion at Errington Reserve, St Albans, and $1.3 million each to redevelop three sports pavilions at More Park, Ardeer, Delahey Reserve, and Bon Thomas Reserve, in Deer Park
- $25.8 million for road and footpath improvements
- $5.4 million for town centre upgrades, including $2.5 million for construction of the Hampshire Road Civic Green, and $800,000 for St Albans Streetscape upgrades
- $4.9 million for playgrounds, parks and gardens
- $1.9 million for sustainability projects
- $1.7 million for bike and shared paths.
"The Draft Budget supports Council's focus to create a vibrant and harmonious community by investing in our built and natural environments and community facilities, to support our community to have the best possible quality of life.
"We'll also have $600,000 up for grabs for community groups and not-for-profit organisations to deliver projects and events that help make Brimbank stronger, through our 2019/2020 Community Grants Program.
"Late last year, we invited our community to share their budget priorities – this Draft Budget reflects the things that you told us are important to you," Cr Congreve said.
The Draft Budget includes funding to develop the St Albans Health and Wellbeing Hub in Keilor Downs.
"Replacing the St Albans Leisure Centre with a new St Albans Health and Wellbeing Hub is one of the most important infrastructure projects Council has ever undertaken.
"This project will help to transform the health and wellbeing of our community by providing new preventative health infrastructure with a state-of-the-art aquatic and wellbeing centre.
"Council is proud to get this project underway with a significant investment in 2019-2020 and subsequent funding in the Long Term Financial Plan.
"We will continue to advocate Federal and Victorian governments to invest in this and other key priorities – while also seeking investment in our city from the private sector, and finding innovative new ways to deliver our services to the community.
"Council remains absolutely committed to ensuring that Brimbank is managed in a financially sustainable and responsible way which allows the greatest opportunities for development of infrastructure and services, and attracts external investment of the highest calibre," Cr Congreve said.
The Draft Budget proposes to increase total rates revenue by 2.5 per cent, in line with the Victorian Government's 2.5 per cent rate cap for 2019-2020.
Cr Congreve invited the community to review the Draft Budget and provide feedback by Friday 17 May 2019. To view the Draft Budget and make a submission, visit our Have Your Say page.
