By Brendan Rees
Casey Council is set to deliver its biggest ever budget … topping half a billion dollars for the first time.
This includes a record amount of $158.7 million for infrastructure and capital works.
And it’s all being delivered within the State Government’s compulsory 2.5 per cent rate cap.
The council released the draft budget for community consultation at its meeting on Tuesday 7 May.
City of Casey mayor Amanda Stapledon said the council was proud to deliver the draft budget which supported council’s strategic objectives of “being people driven, a place to prosper and operating a high performing organisation”.
Major projects include:
• A $158.7 million Capital Works Program (CWP) to deliver much-needed infrastructure for our new and growing communities as well as renew facilities in our established suburbs.
• A $344.8 million operating budget that provides funding to deliver 66 core services to the community including waste management and family, children, aged and disability services.
Cr Stapledon said the CWP focuses on using more than $50 million of council’s developer contributions for critical infrastructure to ensure new communities have the infrastructure they need.
Funds would also go towards renewing facilities in established suburbs to ensure all residents had access to quality facilities, Cr Stapledon said.
“The budget takes action to position Casey to meet the immediate and longer-term challenges of service delivery, the roll-out of infrastructure and continued transformation of our operating environment to meet the demands of such a large and growing city,” she said.
“Our operational budget supports us to keep up with the growing demand on our services as more people choose to call Casey home, as well as deliver on the priorities in the Council Plan and Annual Action Plan.
“Through this budget, we’re continuing to demonstrate our commitment to invest in the future and to meet the growing demands of a community set to reach more than 514,000 residents by 2041.”
During its meeting, council also adopted its revised Council Plan 2017-21 and Annual Action Plan 2019/20.
All residents are encouraged to check out the 2019/20 Draft Budget and have their say by Thursday 6 June at www.casey.vic.gov.au/caseybudget19-20
