By Belinda Nolan
MELTON Shire Council is reining in rates, despite splurging more than $35 million on capital works.
The council adopted its draft budget last week during its ordinary meeting, delivering the biggest capital works program in the shire’s history.
Under the proposed budget, residential rates will rise by a modest three per cent, siphoning an extra $8.1 million into council coffers.
Municipal charges will go up by six per cent, while waste management charges are set to increase by a whopping 9.6 per cent to cover an additional 3.6 per cent increase in the landfill levy imposed by the State Government.
Meanwhile, the council will pocket an extra $480,000 in user fees and charges for use of the shire’s community and leisure facilities, while statutory fees including animal registration and fines will rise by 1.5 per cent.
A differential rating category has also been introduced for the 430 properties in the Urban Growth Area.
The council plans to charge these properties 170 per cent of the residential rate in a bid to recover costs incurred in developing the Urban Growth Area boundary.
Melton Mayor Justin Mammarella said the council was thrilled to be able to keep the rates down to three per cent for residents.
“Over 93 per cent of ratepayers will benefit from this small increase while service levels are maintained and we will still provide new infrastructure to our fast-growing community,” he said.
The council will spend $35.2 million on capital works, including $13.2 million on roads, $10 million on open space, and $7.7 million on building works.
The council will also spend $500,000 on new staff members and $800,000 to replace its car fleet, along with furniture and other equipment.
The majority of capital works money will be spent on already promised projects, including the Taylors Hill Youth Community Centre and the Springside Community Pavilion, while $994,000 will go towards 13 new projects.
The draft budget will go on public display for a month, with the final product due to be adopted at a special council meeting on 30 June.
