Draft budget open for comment

Jim Mynard
CASEY residents are facing a 7.9 per cent rate rise for the 200607 rate year.
It is part of the council’s largest budget, $155 million, with $113 million to be spent on delivering more than 100 council services and $42 million on capital works.
The works will entail improvement and building roads, parks and reserves, recreation facilities and community facilities.
Casey mayor Kevin Bradford said the draft budget would be available for public comment from tomorrow (Thursday) to Thursday, 8 June.
Cr Bradford said the budget had a continued major investment in community infrastructure and a boost to human services.
He said it continued the council’s commitment to providing firstclass community facilities and quality people services now and into the future.
“The proposed rate rise is to cover an increased void from State and Federal Government cost shifting, and to help fund muchneeded infrastructure for the city’s growing population which is currently increasing by 55 families each week,” ” Cr Bradford said.
Cr Bradford said the rise was in the lower half of rate increases across Victoria, but was necessary in order to continue to construct highquality community facilities such as preschools, sports grounds and public buildings.
There were no new borrowings, which further strengthened the council’s already strong financial position, he said.
Cr Bradford said the budget also continued to recognise the good work of community groups and organisations in Casey that provide valuable services and programs to residents.
“Council has allocated $1.3m for grants and contributions and, in addition, each councillor has $5000 to be allocated towards ward projects and community groups,” he said.
The draft budget will be available for inspection at the City of Casey’s Narre Warren, Narre Warren South and Cranbourne customer service centres.
Written submissions on any proposal contained in the draft budget must be made to the council by close of business on Thursday, 8 June.
Submissions should be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, City of Casey, PO Box 1000, Narre Warren, 3805.