Record budget

By Melissa Meehan
MORE than $41 million is to be spent on the Shire of Yarra Ranges’ largest ever capital works program under its draft budget.
The budget aims to repair and restore current structures, rather than start new projects, and improve arts and aged care.
The $122.2 million 2008-2009 draft budget will see average rates rise by 4.25 per cent.
Mayor Tim Heenan said rejuvenating assets now would save the council having to spend more money in the future.
“It’s about investing now to stop higher costs later,” Cr Heenan said.
“We’ve got to be responsible.”
Key capital works funding will include $14.97 million for major projects, $13.02 million for local roads, $2.13 million for building maintenance and upgrades, $2.35 million for open spaces including sports grounds, playgrounds and trails and $1.02 million for township development.
The draft budget also includes a range of new initiatives totalling $1.8 million that will help growing community needs.
Some of the projects include extending the Weed Blackspot Program, increasing resources to help the planning permit process, increasing partnership funding for emergency relief, neighbourhood houses and the Yarra Valley Arts Council.
Cr Heenan welcomed the draft budget saying it would provide a significant boost to critical public infrastructure including roads, sporting and recreational and community facilities, while delivering on a number of community programs and services.
“This year’s draft budget is one of the most extensive in the shire’s history and lays the foundation for a number of significant projects that will benefit current and future generations,” Cr Heenan said.
“Most importantly it strikes a balance between preserving and improving the region’s infrastructure and meeting the community’s demands and expectations for services, programs and support.”
Community services including aged care and support for people with a disability will receive $7.1 million, programs for families, children and young people $7 million, while $2.5 million will go to economic and community development and $2.28 million to support the region’s arts, culture and heritage development.
In the Dandenong Ranges council will spend $500,000 on the Upwey Children’s Hub with a further $5.3 million promised in 2009/2010.
Belgrave South, Belgrave, Dandenong Villages, Monbulk, Montrose, Tecoma and Upwey townships will share in almost $600,000 of funding, with more pledged for the next financial year.
Selby Community House will also benefit from $10,000 pledged for improvement works.
The shire’s planning services will be given a boost with an extra $237,000 to deal with planning bottlenecks.
Mr Cummins said that while the shire has the second number of planning applications in the state, on average, it was important to deal with the problem, as the time taken to lodge an application with the shire often cost applicants more in the long term.
Homeowners in the shire will face an average rate rise of 4.25 per cent, the rise described as modest by Director of Corporate Services Mick Cummins.
“The council took into consideration the rising costs of living, including rising interest rates for mortgages, and the rising cost of fuel,” Mr Cummins said.
From June, the community can have its say on the proposal before the council begins design and project preparations.
Interested people have until 5pm on Monday 23 June to lodge submissions relating to the budget before it is formally endorsed on 24 June.