By Danielle Kutchel
Casey Council has released its draft budget for 2021-22, with plenty of spending to help the community in its recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The draft budget, released at a council meeting on Tuesday 18 May, totals $569.7 million, with a $421.17 million operational budget and a record $148.5 million Capital Works Program (CWP).
The operational budget is an increase on last year’s $391.1 million, while the CWP is an increase on the $131.6 million seen in 2020-21.
But the increases in spending will come at a cost to ratepayers, with rates set to increase in line with the state cap of 1.5 per cent.
In the draft budget report, chair of administrators Noelene Duff stressed that hardship options are available for those who struggle to meet the increased cost, including deferments and waivers of interest and charges.
The rate increase is applied across the City of Casey, meaning ratepayers may not see an exact 1.5 per cent rise on their bill.
Administrator Cameron Boardman said the decision to raise rates had not been taken lightly, and had been preceded by “line by line analysis” of the budget to consider alternatives.
“If we don’t, it will create an unnecessary, undue and complicated financial pressure on the organisation for future budgets.
“We don’t want to be in a situation that in the future, if we do need to readjust our finances, that the hit would be heavier than doing it on this occasion.”
He said he wanted to give the community a “solemn and sincere understanding” that council officers had been challenged to find alternatives that did not pass on the full rate increase – but that ultimately, the cost of Casey’s “ongoing liabilities and obligations” and quality of service made the rise necessary.
A number of key projects are set to be completed over the next 12 months in Casey.
These include the $22.5 million early works package for Minta Farm, which will see the construction of Bells Road from Grices Road to O’Shea Road, including associated intersections.
Clyde Recreation Reserve will be constructed at a cost of $17.75 million, while $15 million has been budgeted for the Casey Fields Soccer Stage two works.
The budget also includes $8.12 million towards the Cranbourne West Sport and Recreation Reserve, $2 million for a new family and community centre in Clyde, $1.49 million to commence the upgrade of Pearcedale Recreation Reserve Football/Cricket Pavilion and $1.5 million to commence the upgrade of the football and netball pavilion in Edwin Flack Recreation Reserve, Berwick.
The draft budget was one of a number of strategic documents released by the council at its May meeting, including the new long-term council vision and the council’s four-year plan.
Those documents are now up for community review, with feedback invited until early June before the documents are formally adopted.
City of Casey Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff PSM said she was proud to endorse the draft strategic documents, which are the culmination of extensive community engagement over the last 12 months through the Shape Your City program.
“Our council has been focused on making sure we listen to our community, and the themes identified through Shape Your City are now reflected in different elements of our draft Council Plan and draft Long-Term Community Vision,” Ms Duff said.
“This new Council Plan and Community Vision are the first to be developed under our administration, and I am proud of the hard work, effort and community input that has contributed to these.
“I hope they instil a sense of pride within our community.”
City of Casey acting CEO James Collins echoed these comments and added that the community will see some great outcomes from the draft budget.
“This year’s increased Capital Works Program will be focused on completing some major projects from 2020/21, but it will also see the commencement of some exciting new projects, from major recreation and sporting reserves, to roads and community hubs,” Mr Collins said.
The Draft Council Plan 2021-2025, Draft Long-Term Community Vision 2031 and Draft Budget 2021/22 will be open for consultation until Wednesday 2 June 2021, after which time the council will consider all of the feedback and then formally adopt the documents at a council meeting on 29 June 2021.
To have your say, find out what capital works projects are happening near you, and to read the strategic documents, visit the Casey Conversations website.
