Council ponders 7% rate rise

CASEY residents can expect almost 7 per cent rate rise and more than $60million worth of improvements in the municipality under the councils 2011/2012 Draft Budget.
The City of Casey recently adopted the budget which includes a 6.81 per cent rate increase and a $63.7 million capital works budget to fund vital community infrastructure.
The rate rise contains two components, a 5.95 per cent increase in accordance with council’s aim to keep it below 6 per cent, and 0.86 per cent relating to financing the cost of a grant the Coalition had promised prior to the election, but which council said was now uncertain.
City of Casey mayor Shar Balmes said discussions were underway with representatives of the State Government seeking delivery of the Coalition’s unconditional pre-election commitment.
Should the matter be resolved, the 0.86 per cent additional rate rise would be removed when council adopts the budget and strikes a rate on 28 June, reducing the rate rise to the originally intended 5.95 per cent.
Cr Balmes described the budget as financially responsible and said the rates still remained some of the lowest in metropolitan Melbourne.
“When you consider that more than 150 services and programs are provided by the council to more than 260,000 residents, our rates are good value for money,” she said.
Cr Balmes said she believed the budget would be a positive outcome for Casey residents.
“I think if you compare our rate rises as well as our input into infrastructure and capital workers, Casey residents are well off,” she said.
“Council officers have worked really hard to skim the fat off the budget and keep expenses down while being mindful of the economic climate. We want to take care of our residents and want to deliver as much positive outcomes, improved services, programs and capital works projects.”
Some of the highlights of the Capital Works Program include a total of $3.5 million for the construction of a Children’s Services Centre at Fairhaven Boulevard, Cranbourne West and Marriot Waters Estate, Lyndhurst; more than $3million for recreation and leisure developments and upgrades; more than $3million for improvements to parks, gardens and reserves and almost $20million towards improved roads and drainage.
Casey residents are invited to review the draft budget and make a submission. The draft budget is available for inspection at the City of Casey’ Narre Warren, Narre Warren South and Cranbourne Customer Service Centres and on the council’s website www.casey.vic.gov.au.
Written submissions under Section 223 of the Local Government Act 1989 on any proposal contained in the draft budget must be made to council by close of business on 24 June, 2011.
Submissions should be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, City of Casey, PO Box 1000, Narre Warren, 3805.
The council will consider any written submissions and adopt the budget at a special council meeting to be held at the Civic Centre, Magid Drive, Narre Warren on 28 June, 2011.