By Jessica Anstice and Mitchell Clarke
A $1.6 million coronavirus support package and an $84 million capital works program will contribute largely to Cardinia Shire Council’s annual budget.
Despite the Covid-19 deficit, the 2020-21 council budget seeks to maintain local services and infrastructure as well as deliver major projects across the region to help keep the local economy afloat.
Months in the making, the budget was passed at a council meeting held on Monday 15 June, where five of the seven councillors present voted in favour of the proposed financial document.
“We’ve never had to do a budget like this before – we’ve never had to come back to the drawing board two thirds into the way into it,” Cr Springfield said.
“It’s been rightly mentioned that a lot of people are having a hard time. It’s going to be difficult financial times, I believe this budget addresses that well.
“I just ask the community to come along this journey with us and I believe this budget is the best way forward for us as an organisation and our community.”
Regardless of Central Ward councillors Collin Ross and Carol Ryan pushing for a rate freeze, ratepayers have been handed an extra two percent increase in line with the State Government’s rate capping policy.
The budget comprises of a number of key council initiatives and projects including advocating for a south east based airport, implementing an energy transition plant and the delivery of a federally funded road sealing project.
“Council has worked hard on this budget to provide the best possible value for our residents while balancing nation-wide challenges of affordability, delivering essential services within a rate cap, and investing in our community and economy for the future,” Cardinia Shire Council CEO Carol Jeffs said.
“We look forward to working with our community to deliver the services, initiatives and innovative projects provided in the budget throughout the coming year.”
Totalling $84.229 million, including a $26.7 million carryover from last year’s budget, almost $37 million has been dedicated to infrastructure works, while $46.6 million will be put towards property upgrades.
A further $757,000 has been devoted for plant and equipment.
From the figure, a total of $36.7 million will be used for new projects to commence within the shire.
“We’ve got some great projects coming up,“ Cr Springfield added.
The key projects include:
– Timbertop and Rix Road integrated children’s facility $9.1 million
– Comely Banks Recreation Reserve pavilion and car parking: $7 million.
– Toomuc Recreation Reserve northern and southern pavilion upgrades: $5.9 million.
– Kooweerup football, cricket and netball pavilion: $3.2 million.
– Gembrook Recreation Reserve pavilion upgrade: $2.1 million.
– Upper Beaconsfield Redevelopment (changerooms): $1.2 million.
– My Place youth centre: $1.1 million.
– Kooweerup High School sports facilities: $750,000.
– Worrell Reserve Recreation car park: $750,000.
– Emerald Netball pavilion and courts: $675,000.
– Pedestrian and bicycle strategy: $616,000.
– Cockatoo Cottages: $400,000.
– Multicultural Hub: $381,000.
– Dog off leash parks and Playground renewals: $330,000.
– Pakenham regional tennis court resurfacing: $200,000.
– Kooweerup Recreation Reserve power and sewerage upgrade: $175,000.
– Disability access works: $166,000.
– Cora Lynn Reserve pavilion: $150,000.
– IYU Recreation Reserve athletics facility: $150,000.
– Officer District Park: $150,000.
– Cockatoo Community Hall and Senior Citizens improvements: $100,000.
Meanwhile, a federal funding boost of $1.7 million to bring forward vital community projects amid the Covid-19 pandemic has also been welcomed by the council.
“The $1.69 million in funding will assist council to more promptly progress some of our shovel ready projects and bring forward the delivery of additional projects into the coming financial year,” Cr Springfield said.
“Complementing existing council budgets and any other relevant grant funding received for the various projects, this funding will assist council to continue delivering on our commitment to providing accessible, safe and durable local infrastructure and facilities for the benefit and enjoyment of our community.”
The funding has been allocated to seven of the listed projects.
A total of $516,000 was put towards the pedestrian and bicycle strategy to create shared path linkages, while a further $375,000 will be put towards carpark works at Worrell Recreation Reserve.
A boardwalk at Deep Creek Reserve will be constructed for $120,000 and $300,000 will be used to re-develop the Upper Beaconsfield Recreation Reserve.
The remaining $80,000 and $50,000 will be spent on disability access works and playground renewals.
