Goya Dmytryshchak
Maribyrnong council has adopted its 2021-22 budget and revenue and rating plan, which includes an average 1.5 per cent rate rise and more than $56 million in capital works.
The municipal charge has decreased from $30 to $20 and the COVID-19 financial hardship policy has been extended until June 30, 2022.
Revenue from general rates and charges will be $100,686,259.
Cr Bernadette Thomas told last week’s council meeting that COVID-19 recovery was high on the agenda.
“This budget is attempting to meet the needs of our growing community for our residents and businesses, and also to recognise that there are still ongoing impacts of the COVID pandemic across our community,” she said.
“In recognising this, that recovery of our residential community but also our local economy is really high on our agenda and we want to continue, of course, to deliver the high-quality services and improvements to our facilities that are important to our community.”
Capital works funding includes $12.47 million for parks, open space and streetscapes, $9.09 million to improve council-owned roads, $7.41 million for recreational, leisure and community facilities, $6.65 million to build and improve footpaths and cycle ways, $2.767 million as part of the Sunshine Transport Precinct Activation (walking and cycling network) and $1.25 million in waste management.
Waste management charges are $198 for two bins and $222 for three bins.
Eligible pensioners will receive a rebate of up to $201.30.
A vacant residential land rebate may be granted upon application for 50 per cent of the rate, provided the certificate of occupancy is issued within 18 months of the completed building demolition.
The mayoral allowance has been set at $81,204 and councillor allowance at $26,245 plus an amount equivalent to the superannuation guaranteed contribution for the 2020-24 council term.
