Council budget focus on capital works and financial sustainability

Published on 27 June 2024

Melton City Council, one of Australia’s fastest growing Council areas, has adopted its budget for 2024/25, centred around a $223.1 million capital works program and long-term financial sustainability.

The budget continues Council’s focus on core services, programs and infrastructure that are critical to building a healthy, sustainable, liveable and connected community.

It demonstrates Council’s continued commitment to responsible governance and sound financial management. The average rates increase is 2.75%, which is in line with the Victorian Government’s 2.75% rate cap. Council also approved an increased $90 pensioner rebate for eligible property owners. The Melton City Council budget includes investment in roads ($70.7 million); recreational, leisure and community facilities ($61.5 million); footpaths and cycleways ($13.1 million); bridges ($1.7 million); library books ($558,000); street tree planting programs ($500,000); and park upgrades, open space and streetscape improvements ($6.5 million).

Highlights of the 2024/25 capital works program include:

• $17.8 million for Mt Atkinson East Sports Reserve
• $11.9 million to complete the upgrade of Bulmans Road, Melton West
• $7.8 million to complete the signalised intersection at Caroline Springs Boulevard and Rockbank Middle Road, Caroline Springs
• $9.7 million to finalise design and commence early work on the Plumpton Aquatic and Leisure Centre
• $10.6 million for construction of the Bridge Road Community Hub
• $14.6 million for the Plumpton Community Centre and Neighbourhood House
• $8.3 million for the Weir Views Children’s and Community Centre
• $6.2 million for the Stage 2 upgrade of Troups Road South, Mount Cottrell
• $4.5 million to complete the road duplication of Hume Drive, Taylors Hill, between Calder Park Drive and Gourlay Road
• $5.3 million to duplicate Taylors Road, from Gourlay Rd to Westwood Drive, Caroline Springs
• $8.3 million for the Aintree Children’s and Community Centre
• $5.3 million for the Cobblebank Community Services Hub

The budget also delivers those services and programs that meet the day-to-day needs of our communities including:

• $7.2 million for social care for older people and people living with disability
• $10.5 million for maternal and child health
• $6.4 million for children, family and youth services
• $7.5 million to support our state-of-the-art libraries and
• Funding for much-loved community festivals including Djerriwarrh Festival, Lakeside Alive and Carols by Candlelight.

To see the budget in full, go to www.melton.vic.gov.au/budget

Quotes attributable to City of Melton Mayor Cr Kathy Majdlik

“This budget has the balance right. It shows we are a sustainable Council that will continue to deliver important services alongside new and upgraded facilities for our community.”

“We live in one of Australia’s fastest growing Council areas, so it’s more important than ever to deliver the high-quality infrastructure, programs, services our community needs to thrive.”

“Thank you to everyone who contributed to our budget this year. Feedback from our residents helps us to deliver a budget that is fair, sustainable and strikes the right balance between keeping the cost of living down while delivering better services for a growing community.”