Council dumps ‘sexy’ projects

By Paul Dunlop
ROADS are the big ticket item in a Cardinia Shire budget that councillors admit lacks ‘sexy’ projects but seeks to focus instead on maintaining and improving basic services throughout the shire.
Rates are to rise by seven per cent, a move councillors hope will be tempered by a halving of the controversial $100 municipal charge.
The rate rise is slightly lower than neighbouring Casey, where residents face a 7.9 per cent hike.
Council has also eschewed the major capital works that were a hallmark of previous years, but will borrow $6.9 million in the new year to help pay for the works that are to be undertaken.
Ratepayers have now been invited to have their say on the budget.
The financial blueprint for 200607 was touted on its release last week as a return to oldfashioned local government values.
With council soon to sign off on the new aquatic centre in Pakenham, the Emerald library and Connecting Cardinia road program, mayor Bill Ronald said the priority now was to ensure the proper maintenance and renewal of existing facilities and assets.
“This year’s budget seeks to strengthen all of our communities with a strong emphasis on township maintenance and improvements,” Cr Ronald said.
Cr Ronald described the rate rise as a “responsible decision when considering the enormous amount of work provided from rate revenue”.
Roads are forecast to get the biggest spend over the next 12 months with a total of $8.6 million dedicated to road, bridge and footpath maintenance and renewal.
The budget provides for the annual grading of 3900 kilometres of unsealed roads and 90,000 tonnes of crushed rock resheeting on local roads.
Council has also pledged $1 million for new and improved footpaths around the shire. Youth services will get a boost with a new youth officer to be employed as well as new recreation facilities.
Bunyip Ward councillor Bill Pearson said the focus was on creating a balance between the needs of the fastincreasing growth corridor population and the provision of services and facilities to outlying townships.
Emerald Ward representative Ed Chatwin said the budget reflected a ‘directional change’.
“We are giving away sexy developments. These times are behind us,” he said. “Council will not be embarking on any lifestyle developments in this budget. This will allow the council to concentrate more on maintaining and improving its existing facilities.”
An increased grants program for landcare and friends groups, more spending on youth services and improvements to recreation facilities, including new skate parks at Beaconsfield and Emerald, are among the budget highlights.
Community grants have also been increased by $25,000 to $425,000. Council has doubled ward fund grants to $42,000.
Cr Ronald said he was pleased that the municipal charge would be reduced to $50.
Port Ward councillor Doug Hamilton said Cardinia Shire would remain committed to supporting agriculture with lower rates for working farms.
Cr Hamilton said residents should also notice a real improvement in the state of local roads.
Central Ward councillor Brett Owen said sporting facilities in Beaconsfield would get a muchneeded boost with council designing a new recreation reserve in Holm Park, developing the reserve in O’Neil Road and upgrading the Upper Beaconsfield reserve.
Ranges Ward councillor Graeme Legge said he was pleased to see that council had increased its support to community groups.