By Matthew Sims
Hobsons Bay residents are encouraged to shape the future of the region, with Hobsons Bay’s proposed budget for the next financial year now out for comment.
At its meeting on Tuesday 11 April, Hobsons Bay council approved the proposed budget 2023-24 to be released for community consultation.
The proposed budget is based on an operational surplus of $15.5 million, which will be directed to a $58 million investment.
Some of the major projects included in the capital works program were $5.24 million for construction of the Bruce Comben Reserve southern area and design of the Western Aquatic and Early Years Centre in Altona Meadows and $1.6 million to complete Better Places Laverton initiatives, including the McCormack Park bridge and road construction and cycling infrastructure upgrades on Railway Avenue.
Hobsons Bay councillor Peter Hemphill said $478,000 of capital grants which council would receive in 2023-24 is a “very disappointing amount of money”.
“Our dollar doesn’t stretch as far as in the past as getting things like roads and footpaths renewed and particularly when oil prices are so high, that seriously affects how many roads we can get done,” he said.
Service charges for the collection, disposal and processing of garbage, recycling, glass, garden and food waste and hard waste will increase by 7.7 per cent in 2023-24 to help cover council’s investment to introduce a four-bin system, adding an extra $941,000 across rates.
As a result, it is anticipated that the waste management reserve will be in about $4 million of deficit by June 30, 2023.
Rates for residential properties will have an average increase of 0.88 per cent, while across the municipality, rates will increase by an average 3.5 per cent when rates for petrochemical, industrial and commercial categories are included.
Some of the services funded in the proposed budget include $3.55 million to deliver maternal and child health and immunisation services and $7.59 million for Council+ service centres, library branches and community centres.
Cr Matt Tyler said the council had “tried to strike a balance” with the upcoming budget.
“We’re very mindful of the reality that there’s significant cost of living pressures on people right now and council’s budget has an impact on the rates that we levy.”
“We’ve seen a really significant increase in the cost of labor, the cost of materials, which has an impact upon council’s budget.”
Despite voting in support of the motion, Cr Pamela Sutton-Legaud criticised the fact that the budget only included an allocation of $50,000 towards all historic buildings within Hobsons Bay.
“I think that’s a great loss,” she said.
“Just as we have sports facility planning, road maintenance planning, public area planning, we also need a historic building property management plan.”
Cr Sutton-Legaud said the current state of the Williamstown Mechanics Institute was of particular concern.
“We’ve let it fall into such a complete state of disrepair,” she said.
“It’s a great shame and a missed opportunity.”
Hobsons Bay mayor Tony Briffa said all feedback from the community is welcome.
“Council understands the challenges with increasing cost of living pressures, so we are pleased to have developed a responsible budget where the average residential rate increase is under 1 per cent,” she said.
“Importantly, the council is still investing in great community assets that make Hobsons Bay a better place to live and will continue delivering vital services that improve the physical, mental and social health and wellbeing of our residents.
“While inflation is increasing the cost of delivering these essential services, programs, and infrastructure projects, we are determined to minimise the impact on ratepayers.”
Public consultation closes at 5pm on Sunday, May 14.
Details: participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/budget2023-24
