Rates bills in Melton’s eastern corridor could climb by as much as 12 per cent this year after new property valuations.
Despite rate increases being capped at 2.5 per cent, some rate bills will rise by significantly more than that, while others will fall by as much as six per cent because of a change in property values. Rates are calculated as a percentage of those values.
Taylors Hill will be the hardest hit (12 per cent increase) as the revaluation in January this year revealed a 21 per cent jump in property prices, followed by Rockbank and Hillside (nine per cent) and Burnside (seven per cent).
Melton council expects to take in about $80 million in general rate revenue, $7 million in municipal charges, $12 million in annual service charges and $2.5 million in supplementary rates.
The council last week approved its 2016-17 budget, which allocates more than $50 million for infrastructure works, including $21.6 million on roadworks, $11.4 million on public buildings and $5 million on bridges.
During consultation on the budget, the council pledged two new tennis courts for Melton South Recreation Reserve in the 2019-20 budget. It will set aside $30,000 in this year’s budget to renovate the Melton Equestrian Park, and $15,000 will go towards security upgrades at Blackwood Drive Reserve.
Among the big-ticket items in this year’s budget, $6.5 million will be used to develop more office space, $5.5 million to upgrade Abey Road from Toolern Creek to Ferris Road and $4.4 million to improve streetscapes.
The council has allocated $2.4 million for a bridge at Westwood Drive over Kororoit Creek and $2.2 million for a bridge at Abey Road over Toolern Creek. About $3 million has been allocated for resurfacing and upgrading sealed roads, and a further $1.46 million for footpaths.
Melton mayor Kathy Majdlik described the budget as “fair and visionary”.
“I would like to commend my fellow councillors, council officers and the community for their input into the 2016-17 budget,” Cr Majdlik said.
“I believe it … shows council’s commitment in delivering high-quality service and infrastructure. I thank everyone who’s been involved in the development of the budget and look forward to delivering it to our community over the next 12 months.”
