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Media Release
6 May 2009
Library, leisure and environment projects front and centre in Council’s proposed 2009/2010 budget
The purchase of land for a permanent North Fitzroy library, the expansion of the Collingwood Leisure Centre and the establishment of a Yarra Energy Foundation are all proposed under Council’s draft 2009/2010 budget.
Mayor Cr Amanda Stone said the proposed budget – which is out for community feedback until Friday 5 June – invested in facilities and services that would foster community wellbeing.
“Council is proposing to allocate $1.6 million to purchase land and undertake preliminary design work for a permanent North Fitzroy library, so the library no longer has to operate out of a make-shift, cramped space,” Cr Stone said.
“In 2009/2010, we are proposing to put $700,000 towards a $6-million-plus expansion of the Collingwood Leisure Centre, which would result in the centre being able to accommodate an extra 40,000 visits annually,” she said.
Cr Stone said Council was proposing to spend $300,000 in 2009/2010 on the establishment of an energy foundation, which would help Council meet its goal of the Yarra community becoming carbon neutral by 2020.
“One of the foundation’s core aims will be to drive the retrofitting of homes and other buildings in Yarra, so emissions and power bills can be cut in one fell swoop.”
Cr Stone said other new projects proposed as part of the budget included:
*A grant program whereby Yarra government and Catholic schools can apply for $35,000 towards the creation of sporting facilities that will also be used by the wider community
*Providing $35,000 towards a project to create a Collingwood Men’s Shed. This project (initiated by Collingwood Neighbourhood House, North Yarra Community Health, Neighbourhood Renewal, Jesuit Social Services and the Brotherhood of St Laurence) would provide practical and social activities for local men of all ages
*Allocating $25,000 towards the creation of a bike strategy that will identify and prioritise improvements to the local bike network so the level of people cycling rather than driving in Yarra continues to grow.
About $3.6 million is proposed for major open space improvements, including an upgrade of the main Yarra Trail by constructing a new shared pathway between Gardiners Creek and Bridge Road, and the creation of wetlands at Edinburgh Gardens.
Cr Stone said Councillors and Council officers had exercised restraint when forming the proposed budget, resulting in a budget which balanced investment in services and asset renewal with the need to keep rates at a reasonable level.
She said Council was proposing to increase rate revenue by 4.5% in the next financial year. Total fees, charges and fines were proposed to increase by 4.9%.
“A reasonable increase in rate revenue is needed, so we can continue to deliver valued services and upgrade community assets such as footpaths, street lighting and sporting facilities.”
Cr Stone said Council would provide eligible pensioners with a $100 rebate on their rates bill, on top of the $184.30 State Government rebate available under the Municipal Rates Concession Scheme.
She said Council would show compassion to ratepayers who were struggling during the financial crisis.
“We will consider, with compassion, applications from ratepayers requesting to defer payment of their rates until they get back on their feet,” Cr Stone said.
“Council has varied our payment options so ratepayers can now elect to pay off their rates in full each February, which effectively enables them to have 7.5 months ‘interest free’,” she said.
“Ratepayers now also have the option of making monthly instalments to pay off their rates over the financial year.
“For cases of genuine hardship, Council will lower the rate at which interest will be charged on overdue rates from the 10% gazetted by the State Government to 7%.”
Yarra residents, businesses, property owners and other community members interested in finding out more about the budget can attend the following information sessions:
Tuesday 19 May
Richmond Town Hall, 10am-midday
Thursday 21 May
Fitzroy Town Hall, 7pm – 9pm
“We really do encourage our community to have a look at what is being proposed, and to let us know what they think,” Cr Stone said.
Any submissions about the proposed budget should be lodged with Council by C.O.B. Friday 5 June 2009.
Council will consider verbal and written submissions at its monthly Council Meeting on Tuesday 16 June, ahead of the adoption of its 2009/2010 Budget on Monday 29 June 2009.
Further information
For media enquiries about this issue, please contact:
Ainslie Gowan
Coordinator Communications and Public Relations
Richmond Town Hall
333 Bridge Road Richmond
Telephone 9205 5177, 0400 933 700
Email ainslie.gowan@yarracity.vic.gov.au
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