A $37.1 million roads spend to ease traffic congestion across Wyndham is the jewel in the crown of a $145.9 million council capital works program over the next financial year.
Wyndham council, which released its 2018-19 draft budget last night, will use the funding to start construction on a number of major road projects, including the Forsyth Road upgrade between Old Geelong Road and Sayers Road, construction of Ison Road between the Princes Freeway and Melbourne-Geelong rail line, and upgrades to Tarneit Road between Sayers and Leakes roads.
The roads funding will also go towards a number of road surfacings, traffic light installations – including at Dunnings Road and Lennon Boulevard, and Boardwalk and Mile Franklin Boulevard – and intersection safety improvement works.
Other big ticket items include:
– $9.9 million to complete the construction of the Wyndham Aboriginal Community Centre and Integrated Family Learning Centre;
– $7.5 million for the Werribee catalyst sites project;
– $7.2 million for a sports field and netball pavilion at Mossfiel Reserve;
– $5.9 million to commence construction on the Wyndham Park redevelopment; and
– $3.6 million for a tennis pavilion, sporting fields and a car park at Galvin Park.
Ratepayers can expect a 2.25 per cent rate rise over 2018-19, in line with the state government rate cap, but property revaluations mean that some homeowners may see higher increases on their rates bill due to an increase in their property’s value.
Councillor John Gibbons said it was a fiscally responsible budget that recognised the importance of both asset renewal and building new infrastructure to meet the growing population.
“It delivers key projects and services whilst maintaining rates at CPI. In a growth area, this is a significant challenge, but I believe the draft plan and budget delivers what the community needs, now and in the future.”
The draft budget is now out for public viewing at the council civic centre, Wyndham’s libraries, a number of community centres, and online at www.wyndham.vic.gov.au
Residents can have their say on the draft budget and lodge submissions until May 15. Read more about Wyndham council’s 2018-19 budget in next week’s copy of the Wyndham Star Weekly, out on April 25.
