A strong focus on critical infrastructure, including roads, drains and footpaths as part of a $130.9 million capital works program, is a key feature of the City of Ballarat's Draft Budget 2021/22.
Among the highlights are:
$6.9 million for major road renewal projects at locations across Ballarat including Mount Pleasant, Buninyong and Ballarat North.
$2.2 million towards rural roads in the municipality, which will include patching works and gravel road renewal.
$2 million for resurfacing of local roads throughout Ballarat, covering approximately 38 kilometres of road.
$2.6 million for drainage projects, with works planned for sites including Delacombe, Mount Helen, Mount Clear and Cardigan Village.
$1.6 million for footpath works at sites including Alfredton, Brown Hill and Wendouree.
City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Daniel Moloney said the Ballarat: Our Future community engagement showed Ballarat residents wanted Council to divert more resources to infrastructure such as roads and footpaths.
"The feedback we got earlier this year told us loud and clear we need to deliver on the basics. We've listened, and the level of investment in roads, rural roads, footpaths and drainage in the Draft Budget 2021/22 reflects that."
Cr Moloney said a substantial proportion of the draft budget's $130.9 million capital works spend was directed to established suburbs and locations.
"The City of Ballarat is responsible for maintaining almost $2 billion in public assets like roads, bridge and buildings, with much of that in older parts of the city dating back decades.
"The Draft Budget 2021/22 includes a strong focus on renewing and maintaining the city's ageing infrastructure, with a significant number of roads, drainage or footpath works for areas like Sebastopol, Miners Rest, and Wendouree roads.
How to Have Your Say on the City of Draft Budget 2021/22
City of Ballarat CEO Evan King said residents and ratepayers had until next Monday 7 June to make a submission about the Draft Budget 2021/22.
"The draft budget 2021/22 is available on the City of Ballarat website, and we want to hear your feedback. Submissions received will help shape this and future City of Ballarat budgets," Mr King said.
If you'd like to share your thoughts, you have a few options. Go to mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au
