Liam McNally
A Melton councillor has accused past and present councils of focusing on “not spending rather than delivering” in the wake of annual financial and performance statements being adopted at the last meeting.
The performance statements show a buget suplus of $798.5 million, however, the vast majority of this comes from developer contributions, and a revaluation of council’s existing assets.
Council recorded $384.2 million in developer contributions in the 2023-24 budget and $375.9 million from revaluation, leaving an “adjusted operating surplus” of $23.1 million.
Deputy mayor Julie Shannon said she was pleased to note the adjusted surplus will be used to fund the carryover of capital works from the 2022-23 budget and said that the community “misunderstands” the way developer contributions work.
“These are funds that can only be used for future capital infrastructure projects within respective development areas,” she said.
“In many instances these funds fall short of the full cost delivery of the infrastructure needed, which is why this council continues to focus on prudent financial management and continues to explore opportunities to generate additional revenue.”
Council has also noted that $300 million of the developer contributions are non-monetary, meaning assets have been built by developers and transferred to council ownership.
However, councillor Ashleigh Vandednberg said she believes the current council and its predecessors have focused on not spending rather than delivering.
Cr Vandenberg said her opinion was evidenced by examples including drainage issues potentially delaying the delivery of a school in Rockbank and what she called a failure in a council tender inclusion on the Bridge Road extension leading to negative impacts on a new school as well as potentially impacting the construction of the Melton Hospital.
“These planning, funding and construction issues have plagued our community long before my election as further evidenced by the Silverdale Estate Sound Wall council error that residents have had to live with for 22 years with no outcome,” she said.
“Many residents, myself included, are of the opinion and will most likely agree that roads and infrastructure aren’t adequately constructed. Taylors Road is another prime example with frequent accidents and planned works delayed which clearly aren’t for budgetary restraints.
“While we can focus on driver error we need to be mindful that people are being hurt and some have died. We need to make sure roads have the best conditions possible to negate driver error.”
Council has indicated that it is currently working with Melbourne Water to have temporary drainage decommissioned to enable further drainage works that will facilitate the construction of the school in Rockbank, but the ultimate solution is a developer responsibility, and that the $10.34 million Bridge Road extension is on track to be delivered by 2024, in time to support the delivery of the new Melton Hospital.
Melton mayor Lara Carli said council has a “proud track record of investing in what is now Australia’s fastest growing community”.
“This financial year we have an ambitious program to invest more than $100 million to upgrade roads, parks and community facilities to make sure Melton stays a great place to live, work and play for everyone,” she said.
