Cardinia Council draft budget on exhibition

Cardinia Shire Council is encouraging community feedback on the draft 2019-20 Budget and draft amended Council Plan until 5pm on Wednesday 15 May.

The proposed budget reflects council’s prudent fiscal management, which has enabled more than $60 million of capital works to be included in the budget and all vital community services to be maintained or enhanced.

“Council is in a sound position, which reflects the importance we place on diligently managing the budget on behalf of our community,” said deputy Mayor Collin Ross said.

The proposed capital works program for 2019-20 is $60.69m, with $30.85m budgeted for infrastructure works including recreation, leisure and community facilities, as well as roads ($14.10m), drains, footpaths and parks, opens space and streetscapes, $26.95m is budgeted for property (which includes land acquisitions and construction and upgrades of buildings, such as sporting pavilions) and $2.89m for plant and equipment.

The draft budget includes $27.89m for asset renewal and upgrade projects, including $4.74m for road renewals (resurfacing, re-sheeting and resealing) and $6.20m for road upgrades; a total of $9.50m for building upgrades and renewals; and, $1.9m for plant and machinery replacement.

It also includes $28.78m for new projects including:

• Land acquisitions $6.24m

• James Bathe Recreation Reserve $5.57m

• McGregor Road and Pakenham Bypass interchange upgrade $3.0m

• Lang Lang recreation facility $2.7m

• Comely Banks reserve pavilion $2.5m

• Kooweerup Secondary College sports facilities upgrade $2.02m

• Bunyip soccer facility $1.08m.

Additionally, $4.02m has been budgeted for expansion projects, mainly related to buildings.

Community services are planned for in the operating budget, including the following net budget allocations:

• Aquatic and Recreation Facilities $797k

• Child and Family Services $736k

• Community Recreation $1.29m

• Libraries $2.21m

• Maternal and Child Health $1.57m

• Youth Services $1.03m

• Community Development $1.44m

• Family and Community Services Management $416k

• Social and Community Planning $1.21m

• Economic Development $622k

• Safe and Inclusive Communities $1.27m

Allocations for the environment are also budgeted, including net budget of $957k for the management of natural and cultural resources in the shire, $347k for maintenance and programs, and $193k for weed management.

General rates in 2019-20 will increase 2.5 per cent, in line with the Victorian Government’s rate capping policy.

The residential garbage charge will remain unchanged from last year at $283.70 and the green waste charge will increase marginally from $117 to $123.16.

Cr Ross said council’s strategic planning framework is designed to deliver key outcomes for the community in a financially sustainable manner, and he welcomes the community’s feedback on the draft budget.

Cr Brett Owen said, “I’ve been on council for 14 years and I’ve never seen a more thorough, inclusive process for the preparation of a budget and I think that says a lot.“

The draft amended Council Plan and Strategic Resource Plan are also available for public comment. These documents outline council’s vision for Cardinia Shire and strategic plans for achieving this vision.

Copies of the draft 2019-20 Budget and draft amended Council Plan are available for inspection at council’s customer service centre, Siding Avenue, Officer, between the hours of 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Copies are also available for inspection:

• online at www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay

• at the Cardinia Shire Civic Centre, 20 Siding Avenue, Officer

• at the Pakenham Library (John Street, Pakenham), Emerald Library (corner Beaconsfield-Emerald and Belgrave-Gembrook Roads, Emerald), and the mobile library.