By Kerri-Anne Mesner
ONE year after it delivered the lowest rate rise in Victoria, Melton Shire Council has handed down a draft budget proposing to raise rates by 4.4 per cent.
The council had a rate rise of 2.2 per cent last year – lower than CPI – but this year the rate rise will be set at the projected CPI level.
Melton chief executive officer Neville Smith said that even with the 4.4 per cent rate rise, there would be constraints on the amount of money the council could spend on new infrastructure for the fast-growing municipality, hence the borrowing’s of $5 million on top of the $25 million it already owes.
“We are conscious the community is under a fair degree of pressure (from the drought, rising fuel costs, etc), that’s why we propose to maintain rates at a CPI level,” he said.
“The projects we have identified meet the urgent needs.”
Mayor Bruce Rowan said that the 2008-09 draft budget was a balanced budget.
“The draft budget recognises the stress that families are under with rising fuel and commodity prices,” Cr Rowan said.
“The current Melbourne CPI of 4.4 per cent at the March quarter has been used as the basis of this rate determination. There is an ever-increasing demand for services and this is a balanced budget, which provides for additional and improved services for our fast-growing community and an $18 million capital works expenditure.”
The capital works program includes $6.9 million for roadworks, $1.9 million towards the Northlakes Community Hub at Caroline Springs and a $2 million pavilion to service the recreational needs of the expanding Eastern Corridor.
Other significant operational initiatives include footpath maintenance ($800,000), construction of Catherine Drive (from Allenby Rd to Community Hub) Hillside ($628,000) and additional playgrounds to be constructed ($120,000).
The council will present its draft budget for 2008-09 at two budget information sessions at which residents can voice their reaction. One session was held last night and the other will be held at 7pm at the Caroline Springs Civic Centre.
