Record capital works in 2021/22 Council Budget

Melton City Council has adopted the 2021-2022 budget, which includes a record $153.57 million capital works program.

Rates will increase this year, following last year’s freeze, but the rise has been kept to a relative low of  just 1.5 per cent.

Works outlined in the budget include building works valued at $39.66 million; $17.5 million in recreational, leisure and community facilities; an extensive roads investment of $70.27 million; footpaths and cycle-ways worth $2.56 million; bridges at $4.22 million; $700,000 in street tree planting; $450,000 in library books; and $214,300 in public art.

Budget highlights include:

• Construction of the Mt Atkinson East Community Hub

• Construction of Bridge Road Recreation Reserve pavilion, Cobblebank

• Expansion of the Melton Recycling Facility (Stage Two)

• Signalisation of the intersection at Caroline Springs Boulevard and The Crossing, Caroline Springs

• Signalisation of the intersection at Caroline Springs Boulevard and Rockbank Middle Road, Caroline Springs

• Signalisation of the intersection at Taylors Road and Sinclairs Road, Plumpton

• Signalisation of the intersection at Taylors Road and Plumpton Road, Plumpton

• Signalised intersection at Taylors Road and Westwood Drive, Caroline Springs

• Duplication of Hume Drive, Taylors Hill (from Calder Park Drive to Gourlay Road)

• Major upgrade of Bulmans Road, West Melton (from High Street to Centenary Avenue)

• Signalised intersection and pedestrian crossing at Brooklyn and Station Roads, Melton South

• Extension of Boundary Road from Mt Cottrell Road to The Mall, Melton

• Extension of Taylors Hill Youth and Community Centre, Taylors Hill

• Completion of Cobblebank Indoor Stadium, Cobblebank

• Construction of community pavilion and oval at Diggers Rest Recreation Reserve, Diggers Rest

• MacPherson Park redevelopment (Stage Two), Toolern Vale

• Construction of Melton Recreation Reserve pavilion, Melton

• Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve sports field upgrade.

City of Melton Mayor Cr Kathy Majdlik said it was a budget Council was very proud to endorse.

“This budget is a strong and exciting investment in our city,” Cr Majdlik said.

“It’s our largest ever capital works investment, meaning more funding for leisure facilities, community buildings, major road upgrades, increased pathway connections, and much more.

“These projects will help meet the needs of our fast-growing community, while maintaining a financially responsible plan with a low rate rise.

“I look forward to seeing key projects for our community progress over the next year.”

View the 2021-2022 Melton City Council Budget in full at the Melton City Council website.