Council commits $105.6 million to Capital Works Projects

Council’s draft 2020/21 Budget is currently out for public consultation. In welcome news for all who pay rates, Council has committed to a zero percent rate rise to help ease the financial strain on the residential and business community. And local businesses are set to benefit from a significant capital works program planned to be delivered in the 2020/21 financial year.

The $105.6 million will be shared across the following categories:

• Roads ($31.9 million)

• Buildings ($44.6 million)

• Recreational, Leisure and Community Facilities ($18.5 million)

• Footpaths and cycle-ways ($1.3 million)

• Library books ($518,000)

• Street Tree planting program ($150,000)

• Public Art ($200,000)

Of particular benefit to the local economy will be a number of important road and intersection upgrades.

Road Infrastructure Projects:

• Construction of Boundary Road from Mount Cottrell Road to Outer Metropolitan Ring Road ($3.46 million)

Traffic Signals at the following intersections:

• Caroline Spring Boulevard and Rockbank Middle Road ($2.45 million)

• Brooklyn Road and Station Road, Melton ($2.15 million)

• Taylors Road and Westwood Drive, Taylors Hill ($2.9 million)

• Taylors and Sinclairs Road, Plumpton ($500,000)

• Taylors Road and Gourlay Road, ($1 million)

• Caroline Springs Boulevard and the Crossing ($400,000)

• Hume Drive Duplication ($500,000)

• Roundabout at the intersection of Mount Cottrell and Greigs Road ($1.15 million)

• Sealed road renewal program ($3.9 million)

These works will improve road and traffic conditions in and around many key retail and business precincts.

Community / Recreation / Building Projects:

There are also a range of community, recreation and building projects planned this financial year which are detailed in the draft budget.

The highlight from the list of projects is the $22 million allocation for the design and construction of Cobblebank Indoor Stadium which is due for completion in late 2021 and will have a completed project cost of $31 million. This significant community asset will be located within easy walking distance of Cobblebank Train station and will service a broad sector of the community with 6 new indoor courts and related amenities.

As with any construction project there are positive economic benefits that help support the broader business community. Council’s economic modelling shows that the total $105 million construction program will have the following impact on the local economy:

• Direct employment: 231 jobs supported

• Supply chain & consumption effect: 325 jobs supported

• Total Jobs supported: 556

• Total economic impact: $219.4 million

The construction industry is the largest industry sector in the City of Melton, so there is a strong capacity to capture the value of capital works projects within the local supply chain.

To download a copy of the 2020/21 draft budget and to have your say visit the Melton City Council website.

Bruce Marshall
Coordinator Economic Development & Tourism