Melton City Council has adopted a family-friendly budget for 2022-2023 which prioritises $182 million on high-quality community services and an $89 million capital works program that will create about 350 jobs.
Rates have been capped at 1.75 per cent and an $85 pensioner rebate will again be available to eligible property owners.
"This budget has been developed to ensure our community has access to a well-maintained, quality road network, that our local sports clubs are supported, upgrades continue to be rolled out across the municipality and importantly, our children will enjoy new and upgraded play spaces," City of Melton Mayor Cr Goran Kesic said.
In the next financial year, expenditure on capital works projects will total $89.03 million and include roads ($26.1 million); recreational, leisure and community facilities ($14 million); footpaths and cycle-ways ($2.6 million); bridges ($1.3 million); and public art ($452,000).
"Melton is one the fastest growing municipalities in Australia and that is why the Council is prioritising spending more than $89 million on key infrastructure projects that will, importantly, create jobs," Cr Kesic said.
"We have committed to a substantial recreation infrastructure program including a new Diggers Rest Pavilion, new Mt Atkinson Active Open Space Precinct and Stage 2 of the Bridge Road Recreation Reserve Redevelopment.
"I'd like to extend my personal thanks to all the residents and community groups who shared their ideas and visions for the city during the budget engagement sessions.
"Your ideas and local knowledge have been invaluable and have enabled us to prepare a budget that's not only fair and equitable, but also strives to achieve the timely delivery of infrastructure, programs and services for our community."
Highlights of this Budget include:
- Extension to Bridge Road, Cobblebank
- Major upgrade of Bulmans Road, West Melton (from High Street to Centenary Avenue)
- New bridge at Sinclairs Road, Deanside
- Construction Troups Road South, Truganina
- Construct Rockbank Murray Road Children's and Community Centre
- Construct Mt Atkinson Children's and Community Centre
- Construct new Aintree Kindergarten
- Design new Cobblebank Community Services Hub
- Upgrade play space and landscaping at Cobblestone Green Reserve, Caroline Springs
- Create play space at Sovereign Boulevard Reserve, Melton West
- Design an upgrade to the play space at The Parkway Reserve, Caroline Springs
- Design an upgrade to the play space at Earlington Square, Burnside
- Improve play space at North Terrace Reserve, Taylors Hill
- Improve play space and basketball court at Stretton Drive Reserve, Brookfield
- Upgrade rugby and gridiron precinct at MacPherson Park Recreation Reserve
- Redevelop Burnside Heights Oval 2
- New Mt Atkinson Sports Precinct
- Complete the new Diggers Rest Pavilion
To view the 2022-2023 Melton City Council Budget in full, visit melton.vic.gov.au/budget
