By Jaidyn Kennedy
Gaming machines, dog parks, and public toilets were among the points of contention when Wyndham council discussed the draft 2025-26 budget on Tuesday, April 22.
In the first year of the new council, ratepayers are set to face an average rate rise of three per cent rate – the maximum permitted under the state government’s rate cap.
Council’s waste management charge will also increase from $393.30 to $461.80, due in large part to the rolling out of new FOGO bins across the municipality.
The $165 million capital works budget includes $77 million for road developments and $20 million for open spaces.
A combined $18.7 million will go towards upgrading and duplicating Tarneit Road, $16 million will go to the first stage of reconstructing K Road in Werribee South.
Leakes Road will receive $8.2 million for duplication works and $8.5 million more will go to Ison Road.
Cr Robert Szatkowski condemned a proposed $250,000 upgrade of Hogans Road Reserve, which home to the Hoppers Crossing Sports Club and its gaming venues.
“We are giving a venue public funds for a project that profits from pokies,” he said.
“If we are using community funds, we should be asking who benefits.”
Cr Szatkowski said the funding goes against council’s anti-gambling harm policies and would be better spent on delivering more dog parks in growth suburbs.
Supporting the funding upgrades, Cr Shannon McGuire hit back and said Cr Szaktkowski’s “commentary contradicts reality.”
“The suggestion that we are going against our policy is totally disingenuous – you’re cherry picking and interpreting the policy for political benefit,” he said.
“There is no direct statement that restricts the council from supporting these clubs.”
He said the policy prevented promoting gambling, and funding the venue did not promote it.
Cr Peter Maynard raised concerns council’s dog parks policy and strategy had been ‘quietly dropped’ and a $3.25 million would be cut from public toilets across the next four years, despite toilets being a priority for residents in the recent satisfaction survey.
Cr Larry Zhao, who said he was “not able to support or reject” the draft budget as it stood, left the chamber and did not vote on the motion.
Residents can provide feedback online via The Loop: www.theloop.wyndham.vic.gov.au or any pop-up meeting events with councillors until Tuesday, May 20.
