Wyndham’s mayor believes it is “worrying” that the state government “doesn’t understand” growth areas, but she has declared council will “rise to the challenge and work alongside the community”.
Adele Hegedich’s comments came as councillors adopted the 2016-17 budget, with $3 million slashed from capital works spending in the draft budget because of the government’s cap on rate rises.
The council had hoped for an exemption from the Essential Services Commission, allowing a 4.5 per cent rate rise, but it was knocked back last month.
“We are not frivolous with the ratepayer dollar,” Cr Hegedich said. “We’re a council that makes decisions based on the long-term needs of our community.”
Directing comments to the gallery, she said: “Know how difficult it has been to prioritise in a rate-capped environment.”
The budget includes $25.5 million of spending on roads with $8.2 million on reconstructions. Among the reconstructions are Armstrong Road between Greens and Blackforest roads ($2.27 million), Hacketts Road from Dunnings to Sneydes roads ($2 million) and duplication of Dohertys Road from Fitzgerald to Foundation roads ($4 million).
Cash has been splashed across open spaces in the region, with redevelopment of Chirnside Park in Werribee listed as a major project. The council has allocated $6.5 million for the project in a three-way partnership with the state and federal governments.
Williams Landing Boulevard Reserve will receive $4.1 million for sports ovals and landscaping works, and a further $3.1 million will be spent to construct the Baden Powell Drive Park Active Youth Space. Werribee’s CBD has had $260,000 allocated for rejuvenation and marketing of the area.
Items culled because of the rate rise knock-back include funding for a Werribee Integrated Community Hub, a feasibility study for the municipality’s third indoor leisure facility and funding for the first stage of the Wyndham Cultural Centre redevelopment.
A further $600,000 was cut from road reconstruction and resurfacing projects.
Cr Gautam Gupta left Monday’s council meeting for the duration of the budget vote. Cr Peter Gibbons was absent. All other councillors voted in favour of the budget.
