A positive plan to help our community recover and rebuild has been announced, headlined by a record spend on infrastructure projects and a funding boost for more service delivery.
A record infrastructure program investment of $482 million takes the spotlight as part of Hume City Council's 2021-22 Draft Council Budget, adopted on Monday 26 April 2021.
Mayor of Hume City Council, Joseph Haweil said the budget is a positive plan for the future that responds to the needs of Hume's residents and community groups entering a COVID-normal world.
The budget includes significant investment in major projects and community services with the roll-out of more than 500 new capital works projects over the next four years.
$245.5 million has been assigned to deliver essential day-to-day services including waste and recycling, planning and building, preschool, maternal and child health, immunisation, aged services, business programs, libraries, parks and open space, leisure centres, community facilities and more.
Council's long track record of strong financial management and no debt ensures committed ongoing support for the people of Hume.
"We've taken an economic approach built on good governance. This means making responsible financial decisions in line with our principles of social justice and environmental sustainability", Cr Haweil said.
The 2021-22 Draft Council Budget commits to:
- $25.88 million for the development of the new multi-deck carpark on the corner of Station and Evans Street in Sunbury
- $22.5 million for the construction of Yirrangan Road to Watsons Road at Jacksons Hill;
- Completion of the $12.9 million Mickleham North Community Centre and the $5.8 million Kalkallo Community Centre
- Commencement and continuation of works on the $9.5 million Kalkallo Central community hub, the $7.4 million Merrifield West southern community centre, the $6.5 million Craigieburn Community Centre, the $3.2 million Valley Park community centre and the $2.5 million Seabrook Reserve community hub
- $8.2 million for the redevelopment of the Greenvale Recreation Reserve including the new home of the Hume Indoor Cricket Training Centre
- $6 million towards the Jackson Hill Arts and Cultural precinct
- Continuing the revitalisation of Broadmeadows with $37 million being invested in the development of the Loop Road multi-deck carpark and redevelopment of the Hume Global Learning Centre.
Cr Haweil said the most exciting thing about new major construction projects is the services and opportunities they will deliver to the community for many years to come, improving quality of life and enhancing community connection.
"Our community is growing rapidly. To meet the needs of our people we're excited to be building four new community centres in the north, a new active open space in Cloverton, several rugby pitches, upgrading Progress Reserve in Coolaroo, and duplicating the Aitken Boulevard in Craigieburn", Cr Haweil said.
Community Centres in Broadmeadows, Craigieburn, Kalkallo and Mickleham will create permanent spaces for a broad range of services including consulting rooms for maternal and child health services, specialist services, community meeting spaces, preschool and learning spaces and administrative services.
The 2021-22 Draft Council Budget(PDF, 3MB) will be open for public consultation from Tuesday 27 April until Tuesday 25 May 2021.
