Cade Lucas
Wyndham council passed the final budget of its current four year term at a meeting on Tuesday night.
The 2024-25 budget, featuring an operating surplus of $244 million, a capital works budget of $159 million and application of the 2.75 per cent rate cap set by the local government minister, passed with a majority of 11-1 at the June 25 meeting, with only councillor Heather Marcus voting against.
The vote followed a two month public consultation period on a draft budget which was initially endorsed by council in April.
The $159.1 million capital works program includes $11.6 million for road reconstruction, $10.8 million for the Tarneit Road duplication and $8.5 million towards the Ison Road duplication .
Construction works at the Polly Parade precinct in Tarneit North received $12.2 million, while $10.4 million went towards the implementation of the Manor Lakes North masterplan, and $9.2 million for works at Fortitude Drive Reserve in Truganina
A total of $28.5 million is allocated to the maintenance of parks, open spaces and streetscapes.
For services, $21.9 million is allocated for kindergartens and children’s services, $16.7 million for child and family health and and $11.7 million for libraries.
The state government’s rate cap of 2.75 per cent for the 2024-25 financial year was applied, while the waste management charge has been set at $393.30, an increase of $2.90 on the previous year.
Other fees and charges have generally risen by four per cent in line with inflation.
Councillor Susan McIntyre put up an amended motion for the council to lobby the state government on behalf of the Point Cook Football Club to release funding for the development of the Point Cook Community Hub.
Cr McIntyre’s amendment, along with the rest of the budget, passed.
“This budget aims to finish what this council started when we came to office four years ago,” Wyndham mayor Jenny Barrera said.
She said it struck the balance between being fiscally responsible while still delivering the infrastructure and services needed for such a rapidly growing municipality.
“Since the beginning of our term, the municipality has grown by 50,000 people to a population of just over 320,000 – an increase of more than 15 per cent in just four years.”
Cr Heather Marcus said the budget focused too much on infrastructure rather than people, while less than half the questions she submitted during the budget process had been answered, forcing her to vote against it.
