Elsie Lange
Big spending on infrastructure projects and community services are central to Hume council’s draft 2022-2023 budget.
Councillors adopted the draft budget last week, which includes a $101.18 million spend on capital works and an average rate rise of 1.75 per cent, in line with the state government’s cap on rate increases.
Mayor Carly Moore said the budget reflects a “renewed focus” on recovering from the pandemic.
“As our growing community continues to adapt and thrive in our new normal, we have made significant investment to ensure our services such as libraries, leisure centres, preschools, maternal and child health and aged and disability programs can thrive with us,” Cr Moore said.
“This has been complemented with an investment in city infrastructure.”
The budget promises a number of transport infrastructure projects within the next year, including $3 million to commence construction on the Evans Street multi-deck car park in Sunbury.
Cr Jack Medcraft welcomed the construction of the car park, which he said he’d been trying to “get on the table for some 10 or 15 years”. He said he was excited for multiple works, including the Jacksons Creek Community Centre, the start of works at the Tullamarine Reserve pavilion and change rooms and the Riddell Road Landfill Resource Recovery Centre.
Cr Medcraft said “hallelujah” about the inclusion of the Emu Bottom car park extension, praised the spending on upgrading Mitchells Lane in Sunbury and the beginning of the Oaklands Road reconstruction.
He also highlighted continued works on Jacksons Creek Athletics Track, improvements at Eric Boardman Memorial Reserve, planning for the Tullamarine Reserve master plan and Mt Holden Sunbury master plan, the Tullamarine Tennis Club and works at the Sunbury Aquatic Leisure Centre.
Crs Jim Overend and Sam Misho voted against the adoption of the draft budget due to the rate increase.
Cr Trevor Dance said while it was good to see investments in capital works, the cost of living was “sky high” and the state government’s increased rate cap would make it harder for residents.
“It’s great to see new things, but be aware, we’ve got to pay for it – don’t sit back if you don’t like anything there, put your submissions in,” Cr Dance said.
The draft budget is open for public feedback until Monday, May 16.
