Cade Lucas
Wyndham ratepayers will be hit with an average rate hike of 3.5 per cent – the largest amount allowable – in the next financial year to cover the impact of inflation, rising interest rates and population growth on the council’s bottom line.
The rate rise was included in Wyndham 2023-2024 draft budget plan which passed a meeting of council on Wednesday night.
The draft budget, which shows an operating surplus of $239 million, was adopted despite councillors Josh Gilligan and Heather Marcus abstaining over increased debt.
Wyndham joins other western suburbs councils including Brimbank and Hobson’s Bay, in imposing a 3.5 per cent rate rise, the largest permitted under the state government’s rate cap.
Rises in municipal and waste management charges will mean a total revenue from rates and charges rise to $289 million, a rise of seven per cent from the previous year.
Along with the tough economic climate, population growth was identified as a reason for the rate rise, with Wyndham growing faster than any other municipality in the nation and projected to have more than half a million residents by 2041.
To meet demand, the capital works budget will grow by 12 per cent, to $168 million, before set to top $210 million in 2024-2025.
Of the capital works budget, $33 million is allocated for roads, while $11 million for the Tarneit North master plan, $10 million for Truganina Community Centre and $8 million for Werribee’s Alfred Road Reserve.
Community services receive $432 million, with $20 million for kindergartens and child services, $11 million for child immunisation and $10 million for libraries.
To help fund these commitments, debt will jump from $15 million to $67.5 million by the end of next financial year, and is projected to reach $155 million by 2027.
Cr Josh Gilligan criticised the increased borrowing, warning Wyndham could end up like the state government and need to slash jobs and services in order to reign in debt.
Mayor Susan McIntyre said the borrowings would only be drawn upon if needed and were within council’s prudential limits.
The draft budget is now open for public consultation at pop-up sites.
Details: theloop.wyndham.vic.gov.au/
