KINGSTON Council has released its 2016-17 draft budget aimed at enabling council to continue providing services, maintain infrastructure and deliver projects to strengthen the community.
Mayor Cr David Eden said the proposed draft budget would continue to build Kingston as a strong, connected community.
“We’re investing $58 million to ensure our community has access to well-maintained quality infrastructure, that our local sports clubs are supported and that our children have access to quality early years learning,” Cr Eden said.
Cr Eden said Kingston Council, due to “its strong history of sound financial management”, is well-prepared to meet the Victorian Government’s rate capping legislation that limits average annual rate rises to 2 per cent.
“While some councils have requested an exemption to rate capping Kingston will not and has undertaken careful planning to ensure our financial future,” Cr Eden said. “We are also continuing to offer pensioners a rates rebate of $100, which is in addition to the Victorian government rebate.”
The draft budget’s $58.4 million capital works program features a wide range of projects including:
- Redevelopment of Mordialloc’s Ben Kavanagh Reserve with $3 million allocated this year to continue work on a new double-storey pavilion and upgrades around the park
- G.R. Bricker athletics track upgrade, $1.3 million
- Edithvale Life Saving Club redevelopment, $1.6 million
- Cliff Sambell pavilion development at the Gerry Green Reserve, $1.4 million
- Dales Park Masterplan implementation, $1.6 million
- $2 million to remediate and landscape former landfill sites in Kingston’s Green Wedge
- Road and footpath repairs, $6.7 million
- Drainage works, $3.3 million
- Streetlight replacements, $2.9 million
- $1.6 million has been allocated to continuing the Bay Trail shared walking/bike path from Mentone to Mordialloc
- $1 million book stock purchases for Kingston libraries
The draft budget can also be viewed at Council’s Customer Service Centres, at Kingston libraries and at kingston.vic.gov.au online. Written submissions on the draft budget can be submitted by 5pm, Monday 29 May at yourkingstonyoursay.com.au or by mail to Manager Finance & Corporate Performance, Kingston City Council, PO Box 1000, Mentone, 3194.
A special council meeting will be held on Monday 5 June at 7pm to consider written submissions and residents are invited to speak to their submissions at this meeting. The draft budget will be considered for formal adoption at a special council meeting on Tuesday 13 June.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 24 May 2017