Cardinia residents have been making their voices heard on council’s draft budget with a number disappointed that a popular disability program could be cut.
The draft budget is currently out for consultation until May 17, and is set to be adopted at the June council meeting.
Residents have been able to express their thoughts on the draft via the ‘Creating Cardinia’ site.
Here’s what some had to say:
“Too much spend on cosmetics of roads infrastructures and parks, increase budget required for community to increase in services and engagement.
“Please reinstate the Access Upgrade Program budget. Upgrades to existing facilities to improve accessibility for all should be a priority!
“Cutting the Disability Access Works budget is like going back to the dinosaur years. Lots of paths need fixing from my experience.
“This is a hugely regressive step by Council to remove the $240 Access Upgrade Program funds.
“The community is more accessible because of the access upgrade budget. Please reinstate the budget to improve value for our community.
“I’m disgusted the Access Upgrade Program Budget has been removed after 12 years volunteering on CAIAC witnessing improved quality of life.”
Following the release of the draft budget, the Gazette previously reported that $240k into disability upgrades could potentially be removed for the next financial year.
During the April council meeting, Cr Tammy Radford had moved a motion to endorse the budget, but staunchly opposed the funding cut from a program providing upgrades to make the shire more accessible.
The program is purposed to upgrade parts of communication, information, facilities and services in the shire to provide better access for people with disabilities.
It has completed numerous projects to make facilities more accessible at places like the Beaconsfield-Officer Scout Park, Kooweerup Outdoor Pool, Garfield Bowls Club and much more.
Overall, as part of the draft budget, council plans to commit:
$238.3 million in capital infrastructure over the next four years, with an $82.3 million capital program (including $21.0 million carry-over from 2023/24) in the 2024/25 financial year.
Of the total capital works program for 2024/25, $64.7 million is dedicated for renewal and upgrade of our $2.5 billion worth of community assets.
Highlights of the capital works program include:
Roads and Bridges ($29.9m) – continuing delivery of the “Better Local Roads – Connect Cardinia” and “Sealing of the Hills” projects, replacing bridges on Simpson Road and Tenby Road, and ongoing maintenance of roads and footpaths.
Drainage ($1.4m) – drainage improvements at Beaconsfield Station, Macclesfield Road, and Tynong Roads and rehabilitation works at Nobelius Heritage Park.
Buildings ($22m) – construction of the Thewlis Road Child and Family Centre and Pavilions at Upper Beaconsfield and Cora Lynn recreation reserves, as well as maintenance and refurbishment for Council-owned buildings.
Recreational, leisure and community facilities ($1.8m) – renovation of the Pakenham Pool, installing new cricket nets at Chandler Recreation Reserve, and upgrading lighting at the Nar Nar Goon Recreation Reserve.
Parks, open space, and streetscapes ($6.7m) – completing works at Officer District Park, constructing stage 1a of the Pakenham Revitalisation project and installing new playgrounds at Toomuc Recreation Reserve, WB Ronald Park, and Greenland Ct Reserve.
