Zoe Moffatt
Rates will rise by an average of 3.5 per cent in Hume next financial year, after council adopted its 2023-24 budget.
In a meeting on Monday, June 26, councillors discussed and passed the budget following a public exhibition from May 9 to May 30, where 62 submissions were received.
Jacksons Creek Ward councillor Jarrod Bell said there is pressure on the budget but council is making significant investments to services.
“There is a lot to do [and] there are pressures on this budget as there are on family budgets across our city,” Cr Bell said.
“However … Hume residents and Hume families depend greatly on the services that council provides.
“These are services that keep us healthy [and] happy, these are services that give our community opportunities, chances for education [and] chances for community gathering.”
Hume council said the budget 2023-24 aims to target areas where support is needed most and commits $128.33 million to community facilities, roads, footpaths, parks and reserves.
Other areas of the significant investment include; libraries, leisure centres, preschools, maternal and child health and aged and disability programs.
Aitken Ward councillor Jim Overend voted against the budget, but said he is glad council is continuing to invest in art and culture.
“Whilst I’ll be voting against this budget, I’m glad that we’ll be continuing to invest in arts and culture in Hume,” Cr Overend said.
“We will be spending over $80,000 on the development of public art as well as continuing to encourage artists to display their works in all our three galleries.
“We will [also] be supporting our community through grants to local organisations, increasing our focus on engaging with their multicultural communities and helping people of all ages.”
Mayor Joseph Haweil said council is working tirelessly to continue delivering quality services.
“In creating this budget, we’ve made sure we are listening to you,” Cr Haweil said. “This budget is informed by community and key stakeholder consultation.
“As our residents look to us to help guide them through a time of economic uncertainty, we are working tirelessly to … continue delivering quality services, while working within the state government’s rate cap of 3.5 per cent.”
