KINGSTON Council’s draft budget for the 2024/2025 financial year has been released for community feedback. The draft budget shows that Kingston Council projects an $8.2 million surplus for the next financial year. Ratepayers will be hit with a 2.75 per cent increase in total average rates and municipal charges, the maximum allowed amount under the state government’s rate cap. The total amount raised through general rates is expected to increase by around 3.7 per cent.
More than $85 million of ratepayers’ money is set to be spent on council’s infrastructure works in 2024/2025, up from the $53 million set aside for capital works in the 2023/2024 budget. $35 million of council’s $85.7 million 2024/2025 capital works budget will be spent on the new aquatic centre in Mordialloc. $18.4 million is projected to be spent on community and sporting facilities, $14.3 million on roads, drains, footpaths, and bike paths, $8.6 million on parks and reserves, and $7.7 million for playgrounds and recreation.
Kingston mayor Jenna Davey-Burns said that interested residents should make a submission to council to help shape the final budget. “Ideas from our community will always make us more adaptive, innovative, connected, and resilient and we can’t wait to put what we’ve heard into practice over the next year and beyond,” she said. “We heard that you would like your rates invested in playgrounds and parks, new cycling and walking paths, shopping strip upgrades and facilitating stronger community connections – plus so much more. This budget reflects that, with dozens of local projects on the agenda.
Any responsible budget must also ensure the necessary funding is available to provide vital community services, including kerbside rubbish collections, our state leading aged-care services, and innovative libraries and youth services, while maintaining our existing community assets and delivering the new facilities and programs that are needed. “These are very challenging economic times for so many across our city and we are working hard to ensure yourtes are being invested efficiently and effectively, while still meeting all the needs of our community.”
To view the draft 2024/25 budget and make a submission visit yourkingstonyoursay.com.au/2425budget.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 10th April 2024