Zoe Moffatt
Hume and Macedon Ranges councils have both acknowledged the need for a frugal 2024-25 state budget, but have echoed disappointment over missed money.
In Hume council’s reaction to the budget, it said it welcomed the cost-of-living relief for families, including the $400 school student bonus, free eye-care for children and the Active Kids Program, as well as funding for Sunbury TAFE.
However, it said reductions in the Growing Suburbs Fund, delaying the Airport Rail Link’s construction and increasing the waste levy and fire services levy are of concern.
Mayor Naim Kurt said the continued cuts to the Growing Suburbs Fund jeopardised council’s ability to partner and deliver much needed community infrastructure for its growing communities.
“The significant increase in the waste levy over the past four years, now at 150 [per cent also] poses a burden on ratepayers,” he said.
“[It] exacerbates issues like illegal and commercial-scale dumping across Hume. We need to reassess the program’s effectiveness in waste reduction.“
Further north in the Macedon Ranges, council chief executive Bernie O’Sullivan said council was particularly pleased to see an additional $400,000 committed for the new Romsey skatepark and Lions Park Reserve upgrades.
“[This adds] to the $550,000 previously committed by the Victorian government to help make these new recreational facilities a reality,” he said.
“Council sought feedback on proposed designs for the new skatepark earlier this year and is continuing planning work, with the aim to provide an update at a future council meeting.”
Mr O’Sullivan said council echoes shared sentiments from the Municipal Association of Victoria, Regional Cities Victoria and Rural Councils Victoria, in relation to some positive regional investments but also some ongoing concerns about funding gaps.
“We are pleased to see the continuation of a level of funding towards regional road upgrades and maintenance.
“However, we do share concerns that this funding is still not enough to support councils to more proactively address and keep up with deteriorating roads that we maintain.
“We would have also liked to have seen more support through previous funding streams such as the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, or to be included for eligibility in the Growing Suburbs Fund.
“[These] are vital for growing councils such as ours to be able to equitably plan, partner and deliver key infrastructure in the future.”
