Melton council will spend more than $50 million on infrastructure works if councillors approve the 2016-17 draft budget tonight.
Rate increases are proposed to be capped at 2.5 per cent, in line with the state-government imposed rates cap, with council expecting to rake in about $100 million from rates in the next financial year.
Among the big-ticket items are $6.5 million to spend on an ‘office space development’; $5.5 million to upgrade Abey Road from Toolern Creek to Ferris Road, and a further $2.2 million will be spent to construct a bridge at Abey Road; and $4.4 million for streetscape improvements in the municipality.
Money has also been put aside for the first stage of works at the Melton aged care facility at 5 McKenzie Street, and the first year design works for the Melton Civic Centre redevelopment project.
Asbestos removal from council buildings has also been budgeted and is expected to cost $26,500.
Council officers have also allocated $50,000 for the Diggers Rest Recreation Reserve Master Plan, which is also up for council comment at tonight’s meeting.
The plan includes an additional two hectares of active open space, an indoor active recreation facility, a new pavilion, an extra two tennis courts and an upgrades of the existing active space.
About $3 million has been announced for resurfacing, and upgrading, sealed roads across the municipality, and a further $1.46 million for fixing footpaths.
$232 million in revenue
If the draft budget is approved tonight, council officers state they expect to rake in about $232.64 million in the 2016-17 year.
“Despite the rate capping restrictions, the council is in a good financial position largely due to additional revenue projected from land sales,” council officers state in the report.
“In addition, the council has also been successful in attracting state and federal funding from Interface Growth Fund and National Stronger Regional Fund in 2015-16 and 2016-17.
“The favourable financial position has resulted in council being able to deliver capital works of $50.7 million and loan repayments of $6.91 million, without additional borrowing in 2016-17.”
Once approved, the draft budget will be out for public comment and the final budget adopted by June 27.
