A $114 million capital works program and $1.6 million towards 18 initiatives submitted by our community are two major features of Melton City Council's 2023/24 draft budget.
Released for community feedback on Tuesday 30 May, the $239 million draft annual budget, which includes $48 million in State and Federal grant funding, has been shaped with significant input from the community following an open invitation for individuals, groups, and organisations to put forward their ideas last December.
Council held two engagement sessions, with community representatives presenting their ideas for projects, programs or services that benefit our community.
Twenty-nine submissions were received and resulted in Council allocating $1.6 million towards 18 projects that include the installation of a digital scoreboard at Diggers Rest Recreation Reserve, more accessible parking spots, road safety, park and sport facility upgrades, and support for community events.
With the City of Melton now the fastest growing municipality in Victoria, Council's 2023/24 draft budget recognises and responds to our City's rapid residential growth, with commitments to provide high quality infrastructure, programs, services, while balancing the need to minimise costs for community.
Highlights include:
- $8.1 million committed to maternal and child health services
- $8.3 million for services and programs for older people, and people with a disability and their carers, including delivered meals, personal care, domestic assistance, and community transport
- $4.4 million for children, family, and youth services, including childcare, kinder enrolment, parenting programs and services for young people aged 12-25
- $4.9 million towards the continued provision of two state-of-the-art library and learning hubs in Caroline Springs and Melton
- Funding for community festivals including Djerriwarrh Festival, FlavourFest, Lakeside Alive and Carols by Candlelight
In addition to Council's ongoing services, a capital works budget of $114.35 million is provided for new and upgraded infrastructure, including $29.4 million to upgrade local roads, $15.2 million to improve road safety, $14.2 million to upgrade local parks and streetscapes, $14.1 million to upgrade recreation, leisure, and community facilities, and $6.2 million for footpaths and cycleways.
Around $48.72 million has been allocated to complete projects that are already underway, and $75 million for new projects. Highlights include:
- $10.35 million for the construction of Bridge Road, Cobblebank
- $5.7 million for the construction of Bridge Road Community Hub, Strathtulloh
- $4.5 million for the construction of a roundabout at Mount Cottrell and Greigs Roads, Strathtulloh
- $4 million for Hume Drive duplication (Stage 2) Calder Park Drive to Gourlay Road
- $3.7 million for the signalisation of the intersection at Caroline Springs Boulevard and Rockbank Middle Road
- $3.75 million for the urbanisation of Bulmans Road, West Melton
- $3.3 million for the construction of Diggers Rest Community Pavilion and Oval 2
- $2.7 million for the construction of Mt Atkinson East Sports Reserve
- $2.7 million for the construction of Aintree Children's and Community Centre
- $2.7 million for construction of Plumpton Community Centre and Neighbourhood House
- $2.7 million for construction of Weir Views Children's and Community Centre
- $2.17 million for upgrades to Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve
- $2.1 million for the construction of Macpherson Park Rugby Pavilion and Pitch (Stage 3)
- $1.8 million for Kurunjang Recreation Reserve Synthetic Turf Renewal
- $1.02 million for Caroline Springs Town Centre Oval Redevelopment
- $600,000 for bridge construction on Sinclairs Road, Deanside
- $572,000 for Banchory Green Park Rejuvenation
- $250,000 to finalise the master plan and schematic design and commence the detailed design for the Plumpton Aquatic Centre.
In a demonstration that Council is responsive to community needs, the rate increase for 2023/24 is 3.25%, below the rate cap of 3.5% set by the Victorian Government. This will equate to an average rates increase of around $1.05 per week, with nearly half of all households seeing an increase less than that.
An $85 pensioner rate rebate will again be available to eligible property owners.
City of Melton residents can provide feedback on the draft budget until 5pm, Tuesday 13 June by going to conversations.melton.vic.gov.au/draftbudget2324
Quotes attributable to City of Melton Mayor Cr Lara Carli
"The City of Melton is Victoria's fastest growing municipality which is why we're investing $114 million to upgrade roads, parks and community facilities to make sure Melton stays a great place to live, work and play for everyone.
"Council is pleased to support 18 community ideas to the tune of $1.6 million and I thank the community for helping shape our budget to deliver the initiatives that are most needed.
"Community input has been an integral aspect for this year's budget preparation; and ensuring that we deliver a fair and sustainable budget that aims to strike the right balance between keeping the costs of living down while delivering better services for a growing community along with more infrastructure and the projects our community expects."
