Community feedback and state government legislation prompted some changes to the 2025-2026 Hobsons Bay budget which was adopted last week.
After being left out of the draft version, strong community feedback resulted in the reinstatement of funding for Writers Out West Hobson Bay, a new sports field fence for Altona’s AW Bond Reserve, a fence along Newport’s John Liston Lane, upgrades at the BayFit Swim Centre and $250,000 for the Substation in Newport.
The reinstatement of funding for the Substation for a further 12 months pending a review, proved contentious, with Newport ward representative, Cr Michael Disbury, moving an alternative motion to cut the arts centre’s funding to $225,000, arguing it was privately run and had already received $4 million in council funding in the past.
Cr Disbury’s motion failed 5-2, as did his second alternative motion calling for the inclusion of $50,000 for design works on upgrades for Loft Reserve in Newport.
Cr Lisa Bentley was the only councillor to support Cr Disbury’s alternative motions and both councillors were later the only two to vote against the budget itself.
While these reinstated items added to expenditure, changes in state government legislation relating to the adoption of LED lights resulted in council saving money, with private power companies now charged with the responsibility of adding LED fittings to street lights.
Otherwise the key figures in the draft budget remained, with $63 million allocated to capital works projects, including $21.95 million for roads, $3.37 million on drains and $2.26 million for footpaths and cycleways.
There is $12.4 million for recreation and open space including parks, leisure and community facilities, as well as $7.13 million for sporting and recreational facilities, part of $14.45 million allocated towards buildings.
Residential rates will increase by an average of 2.18 per cent, below the three per cent rate cap set by the state government, while free parking will be available throughout winter to help with cost of living pressures and attract shoppers.
“This budget focuses on getting us back to basics,” said mayor Daria Kellander.
“This budget puts us in a position to best provide services for our community now and into the future.”
