Macedon Ranges council has adopted an updated Special Charge Scheme Policy, to guide future infrastructure projects such as resident-funded roads and drainage upgrades.
The policy, which aims to provide a more equitable funding model, was previously endorsed for four weeks of community consultation.
In providing background information, council said officers have attempted to balance the greater community’s needs with the interests of the directly benefiting residents.
“Central to this is ensuring that council applies a fair and equitable process for providing infrastructure assets,” council said in the agenda.
“This means that council should not be ‘over embellish’ or ‘over-service’ one community cohort over another.”
Council said the policy applies to Special Charge Scheme infrastructure projects such as but not limited to, upgrading roads, drainage installation and new footpath construction.
Councillor Janet Pearce said roads and the sealing of roads, along with the process of this “evokes a lot of passion in people.”
“I think balancing the community needs against a specific community cohort and trying to explain that is a lot more clear now,” she said.
“The streamlined process and… decreasing bureaucracy is really important.
“We have looked at this policy a few times and … I feel really positive that … it will be much more appealing [and] people will be able to understand the process a lot better.
Zoe Moffatt
