It’s that exciting time of year when you have an opportunity to review Council’s Draft Budget and proposed 10 Year Financial Plan.

Council endorsed the draft documents at its meeting last night (30 May).

“We surveyed the community about the forthcoming budget over the summer months and used this information to assist in formulating the Draft Budget and 10-year Financial Plan,” Manningham Mayor, Cr Deirdre Diamante said.

“These important documents outline how we will spend your rates on community services and infrastructure, so be sure to check them out.

“We’re delivering for our community with an operating budget of $146 million to provide more than 100 valuable services for Manningham,” the Mayor added.

We’re also delivering on our Council Plan, including:

• $38 million for a healthy community

• $24 million for liveable places and spaces

• $22 million for a resilient environment

• $5 million for a vibrant prosperous economy

• $31 million for a well governed Council

“We are conscious of cost-of-living pressures in our community and propose over $1 million of relief measures by capping the increase to the waste service charge, increasing our low-income rate rebate and introducing subsidies for school holiday programs,” Cr Diamante said.

Although inflation (CPI) is forecast to be at least 4 per cent in 2023-24 Council’s average general rate increase will be in line with the State Government’s rate cap of 3.5 per cent.

“We are continuing to invest in our community infrastructure with an extensive $54 million capital works program to maintain and enhance Council’s $2.5 billion of community assets.”

This this is in addition to the $20 million allocated to maintaining our important community assets.

“We will also deliver on our Climate Emergency Action Plan to reduce the impacts of climate change,” Cr Diamante said.

Proposed capital works spending includes $13 million over the next four years for circular economy (sustainability) initiatives.

Thank you to everyone who submitted feedback on what they would like included in the Draft Budget and 10 Year Financial Plan by completing our survey over summer.

We received more than 200 submissions and in order, your top priorities for Council spending were:

1. Parks, reserves and other open spaces
2. Maintenance and cleaning of public spaces
3. Recycling and waste management
4. Roads and traffic/parking management
5. Drainage and stormwater management
6. Environment and sustainability
7. Sport (courts, ovals, fields and pavilions)
8. Footpaths/cycling and pedestrian infrastructure