Council cash boost

By Tania Martin
MELBOURNE’S outer east has shared in a $26.6 million cash boost for local government.
The Federal Government last week announced the money as part of its financial assistance deal for councils across the state.
A record $444 million was handed out to Victorian local government which was a $29 million increase on last year’s (2007-08) allocation.
Victoria’s 79 councils and shires will be able to spend these funds on a range of projects including local roads, parks and pools, libraries, community centres, health and child care services.
The grant allocation was determined independently and was untied so that councils could spend the cash in accordance with local priorities.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges has received $12.2 million while the bordering municipalities of Cardinia and Knox were allocated $7.1 million, and $7.3 million respectively.
Cardinia spokesman Paul Dunlop said the council was happy with its allocation which had increase marginally on last year. He said the council would use the funds to provide services to the community and for road works across the shire.
Yarra Ranges mayor Tim Heenan said the council was very pleased with the increase in cash with a $1.1 million jump on last year’s funding.
Cr Heenan said that it showed that council’s continued lobbying for more assistance had paid off.
“We welcome this money with open arms,” he said.
In announcing the cash, Minister for Local Government Anthony Albanese said the Government was putting local councils at the heart of its national building agenda.
Mr Albanese said local councils were not only critical to maintaining vibrant local communities but to making a vital contribution to the nation’s productivity.
“We also understand how important the grants are for rural and regional councils where these funds can comprise more than half of council revenue,” he said.