Max Westwood
Maribyrnong council has added $80,000 in funding to its 2024-25 budget, in a bid to help three community organisations.
Councillors endorsed the budget for next financial year during a council meeting on June 18.
The budget includes an average rate rise of 2.75 per cent, and a capital works program of $80.13 million.
As reported by Star Weekly, Western Chances called on the council to provide three years’ funding for the scholarship program which supports young people experiencing financial barriers to education.
Councillors voted to include $30,000 in the 2024-25 budget for the organisation, as well as adding
$40,000 for Vietnamese Community in Australia to support the 2025 Tet Festival, and $10,000 for Maribyrnong River and Waterways Association to support the employment of a Maribyrnong River officer.
The budget also includes $18.07 million for major projects, $9.76 million for aquatic and leisure centers and $8.61 million for parks and gardens.
Council has allocated $5 million for the Shorten Reserve-RecWest redevelopment, supported by a $10 million state government grant, and over $1 million to begin the first phase of upgrade works at Hansen Reserve.
Council also allocated $21.33 million to improving the roads and footpaths, with $6 million allocated to finishing the Cowper Street upgrade, while $959,000 will be going towards fixing bicycle paths.
Mayor Cuc Lam was appreciative of the community involvement in the moulding of the annual budget.
“The 2024-25 annual budget underscores our dedication to actively engaging with residents to get to the heart of what matters to our community. We have allocated funds where they are most needed, focusing on areas such as roads, footpaths, open spaces, and essential community services,” she said.
