City Hall’s budget includes $33m for family services; $27m on parks, reserves; $19m for the arts

There’s a massive spend on infrastructure in the City of Greater Geelong’s 2023-24 budget but it’s savings that need to be made that’s got staff and unions worried.

Geelong council mayor Trent Sullivan, left, and acting CEO Kaarina Phyland, right

Almost $196m is due to be spent on building, renewing and adding to City of Greater Geelong council infrastructure in 2023-24, but its incoming chief executive will be “required” to cut $7m from its books.

Major spending in the budget includes $35m for land acquisition at Armstrong Creek west; $14.4m for the Northern Aquatic and Community Hub at Norlane; $7.3m for Boundary Rd- Baanyip Blvd, Armstrong Creek intersection upgrade; and $14m for the region’s libraries.

It also includes $6m for planning and construction of the Armstrong Creek town centre library and learning hub, and $4.5m for Lara Recreation Reserve upgrade.

A small but vocal crowd, including union members, chanted “vote them out” in reference to councillors after the budget was approved at the Tuesday night council meeting.

During the meeting the crowd interjected about the level of funding for libraries and potential changes to council staffing. Some of the crowd stood and turned their back on counicllors during the meeting.

*** SUBURB LIST OF BUDGET PROJECTS BELOW ***

In candid comments reflecting intense scrutiny on the budget, Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan told the meeting hard work was put into its deliberation.

“I wanted to thank my councillors around me; they’re good people, they’re community people just like you, and they put their hands up to help. They gain nothing personally out of this,” Mr Sullivan said.

“We’d rather be operating under much more favourable economic circumstances but each dollar is precious, and each dollar in this budget is being squeezed to get the best value that it can.

“I also want to thank my acting CEO, Kaarina Phyland. There is a lot going on in the organisation; anyone can man the helm during fair weather but to guide a ship during stormy seas is no easy path.”

Mr Sullivan said: “We can look forward to a lot of building activity getting underway over the next 12 months, which will create local employment and result in some amazing new and improved facilities for the community.”

Council’s budget, approved on Tuesday night, includes $298.77m in rates and charges revenue; equating to an average $1479 (residential) and $4937 (commercial) rate bill for property owners.

City Hall’s spend in 2023-24 is expected to include $33m on family services, $27m on parks and reserves, $19m on local arts and culture, and $65m for rubbish management.

The city’s budget locked in $565,000 for Kardinia Aquatic Centre to stay open during winter, $47,500 for life guards on the Bellarine Peninsula and more than $14m for libraries.

Geelong Regional Library Corporation board chair Liz Pattison said the community campaign to preserve libraries was passionate.

“We want to take this opportunity to thank the community of library lovers – those who have

advocated passionately for libraries, those who rely on the essential services our libraries provide every week, and those who pop in occasionally,” Cr Pattison said.

“After the City of Greater Geelong budget announcement we can confirm that no Greater

Geelong libraries will close and weekend hours will not be impacted.

“With the $406,000 shortfall that remains, the organisation will now work to assess where these savings can be made – including assessing existing staff vacancies and assessing other discretionary costs.

“This work will be done in close collaboration with our valued staff.”

Mr Sullivan said the council would review its budget in six months to check if projects were affordable.

Council’s employee costs for its 1850 full-time equivalent staff in 2023-24 is expected to be about $200m. Council will take on up to $70m in loans in 2023-24.

A potential ticking time bomb on council’s books has been revealed with its incoming chief executive, Ali Wastie, “required” to cut $7.1m from the 2023-24 budget.

The target, $2.6m higher than what was outlined in April, adds to a $4.5m cost cutting venture already underway. Unions and council staff fear it will lead to more job losses.

Council’s strategy director Bryce Prosser said the increase reflected a rise in the WorkCover premium.

“The savings dividend required to be found by the CEO has risen from $4.5m in the draft budget to $7.1m in the final budget,” he said.

“This is almost entirely attributable to a 70 per cent increase to the WorkCover premium cap for claims, which will have an estimated $2.47m impact on the city’s operations.

“The size of this increase by the (state) government was unexpected and is something that all organisations will now have to deal with over the next financial year.”

Changes to the WorkCover premium were made in May after the “fundamentally broken” system was faced with a $1bn annual blowout unless changes were made to claims, and revenue the system generates.

Councillor Melissa Cadwell asked council to direct surplus funding to the city’s libraries; to the Thomson FNC, Barwon Heads FNC; the Give Where You Live Foundation and Aldershot Reserve, St Albans Park, but was not successful.

Mr Sullivan said surplus funding had to be put towards council’s projects jointly funded with other levels of government.

Councillor Stephanie Asher said the budget consultation process offered “positive lobbying” and “politically-motivated bullying” from the public.

Council resolved not to put $16,000 into the President’s Club at the Geelong Football Club.

Bellarine Ward

Suburbs:

Barwon Heads Bellarine Breamlea Clifton Springs Connewarre Curlewis Drysdale Indented Head Leopold Mannerim Marcus Hill Moolap Ocean Grove Point Lonsdale Portarlington St Leonards Swan Bay Wallington

Projects:

Collendina Reserve pavilion upgrade in Ocean Grove – $694,000 in 2023-24.

Drysdale Sporting Precinct Master Plan Stage 2 implementation – $6.7 million in 2023-24, $6.7 million in 2024-25 (total $13.4 million over two years).

St Leonards Skate Park redevelopment – $529,000 in 2023-24.

Barwon Heads Bowling Club pavilion – $200,000 in 2023-24.

St Leonards Lake Reserve new practice wicket – $427,700 in 2023-24.

Leopold Tennis Club pavilion and lighting upgrade – $1.66 million in 2023-24.

Drysdale Town Square Upgrade – $100,000 in 2023-24.

Clifton Springs Boat Harbour car park upgrades – $743,000 in 2023-24.

Barwon Heads Tennis Club court resurfacing and pavilion and lighting upgrade – $239,000 in 2023-24.

Beacon Point Reserve, Clifton Springs shared path, picnic area and park furniture – $137,000 in 2023-24.

Devlins Road Reserve (Kingston), Ocean Grove detailed design and construction of a pavilion, sports fields, sports lighting and other infrastructure – $750,000 in 2023-24, $1.7 million in 2024-25, $2.565 million in 2025-26 (total $5.015 million over three years.)

St Leonards Community Hub concept design – $79,000 in 2023-24.

Murradoc Road footpath link delivery – $110,000 in 2023-24.

Potato Shed Facility Renewal Core Program – $84,600 in 2023-24, $50,400 in 2024-25, $48,000 in 2025-26, $42,000 in 2026-27.

North Bellarine Aquatic Centre Stage 1 construction – $100,000 in 2023-24. (Stage 2 to follow, via $40 million in state and federal government funding.)

Brownbill Ward

Suburbs:

Batesford Bell Park Bell Post Hill Breakwater Drumcondra East Geelong Fyansford Geelong Geelong West Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill Manifold Heights Moolap Newcomb Newtown North Geelong Rippleside South Geelong St Albans Park Thomson Whittington

Projects:

Rippleside Park Inclusive Playspace – $2.5 million in 2023-24, $1.05 million in 2024-25 (total 3.55 million over two years).

Osborne House restoration works – $2 million in 2023-24, $2 million in 2024-25, $3 million in 2025-26, $1 million in 2026-27 (total $8 million over four years).

Geelong Botanic Gardens Tea House pergola – $150,000 in 2023-24.

Geelong Arena Roof Replacement – $945,000 in 2023-24.

Geelong Waterfront annual renewal program for Council-owned assets – $2.15 million in 2023-24, $2.16 million in 2024-25, $2.2 million in 2025-26, $2.27 million in 2026-27 (total $8.78 million over four years).

Geelong Waterfront new basketball court, LED lighting and fencing – $40,000 in 2023-24.

Steampacket Gardens lighting upgrade – $300,000 in 2023-24.

Sparrow Park playground – $200,000 in 2023-24.

Market Square Quarter Master Plan – $55,800 in 2023-24.

Eastern Beach upgrade of sewerage to ensure facilities are fit for peak periods – $137,300 in 2023-24.

Kardinia Ward

Suburbs:

Armstrong Creek Belmont Ceres Geelong Grovedale Highton Marshall Mount Duneed Wandana Heights Waurn Ponds

Projects:

Armstrong Creek Town Centre Library and Learning Hub construction – $6 million in 2023-24, $414,000 in 2024-25 (total $6.414 million over two years).

Sparrovale Wetlands project implementation – $702,000 in 2023-24, $702,000 in 2024-25, $702,000 in 2025-26, $702,000 in 2026-27 (total $2.88 million over four years).

Waurn Ponds Playground, Skate Park and BMX Track – $638,000 in 2023-24.

Queens Park Golf Course water irrigation works – $50,000 in 2023-24.

Queens Park Golf Course safety netting – $10,000 in 2023-24.

North Valley Road Shopping Centre Greening Project – $50,000 in 2023-24.

Armstrong Creek West Neighbourhood Activity Centre Community Sports Pavilion design and construction (DCP funded) – $118,000 in 2023-24, $275,000 in 2024-25, $3.53 million in 2025-26 (total $3.923 million over three years).

Armstrong Creek West Neighbourhood Active Open Space Reserve design and construction of playing fields, bowling greens and infrastructure – $176,000 in 2023-24, $3.96 million in 2024-25 (total $4.136 million over two years).

Armstrong Creek Horseshoe Bend Precinct Neighbourhood Activity Centre design and construction of a new hub including early years and community spaces – $2.07 million in 2023-24, $10.34 million in 2024-25, $10.34 million in 2025-26 (total $22.75 million over three years).

Bloinks Reserve Master Plan design and delivery of playing fields and bowling greens in Armstrong Creek – $313,000 in 2023-24, $1.25 million in 2024-25, $7.05 million in 2025-26, $7.05 million in 2026-27 (total $15.663 million over four years).

Drewan Park, Wandana Heights reinstatement of public open space – $33,000 in 2023-24.

Shared path on Burvilles Road (between Peaceful Avenue and Horseshoe Bend Road) and on Paddock Road (between Horseshoe Bend Road and Whitehaven Chase) – $145,000 in 2023-24, $145,000 in 2024-25, $145,000 in 2025-26, $145,000 in 2026-27 (total $580,000).

Shared path within the Baanip and Boundary Road intersection project, Mount Duneed – $173,000 in 2023-24, $173,000 in 2024-25, $173,000 in 2025-26, $173,000 in 2026-27 (total $692,000).

Barwarre Road South shared path – $19,000 in 2023-24, $19,000 in 2024-25, $19,000 in 2025-26, $19,000 in 2026-27 (total $76,000).

Signalised intersection at Reserve, Horseshoe Bend and Drews roads in Charlemont – $3.55 million in 2023-24, $3.55 million in 2024-25 (total $7.1 million over two years).

Signalised intersection at Surf Coast Hwy and Boundary Road, Mount Duneed – $3.465 million in 2023-24.

Install traffic signals at Boundary Road and Baanip Boulevard, Mount Duneed and realign Boundary Road – $7.376 million in 2023-24.

Windermere Ward

Suburbs:

Anakie Avalon Balliang Batesford Bell Park Bell Post Hill Corio Fyansford Hamlyn Heights Lara Little River Lovely Banks Moorabool Norlane North Geelong North Shore Point Wilson Staughton Vale

Projects:

Completion of Northern Aquatic and Community Hub construction –$14.44 million in 2023-24.

Northern Aquatic and Community Hub intersection works at Cox Road and Moa Street in Norlane – $398,000 in 2023-24.

Northern Aquatic and Community Hub equipment to support aquatic, health & fitness and administration operations – $232,000 in 2023-24.

Lara Recreation Reserve Master Plan Stage 2: design and construction of Oval 3 multi-purpose building and reconstruction of baseball field – $4.79 million in 2023-24, $100,000 in 2024-25 (total $4.89 million over two years).

Bell Park Sports Club (in Batesford) purchase of land and buildings, including upgrade to change rooms – $2.13 million in 2023-24.

Labuan Square, Norlane continuation of renewal project – $105,400 in 2023-24.

Lara Golf Club scoping study for water sustainability and new irrigation system – $1.413 million in 2023-24, $1 million in 2024-25 (total $2.413 million over two years).

Lara Golf Club driving range development – $548,000 in 2023-24, $548,000 in 2024-25 (total $1.096 million over two years).

Lara Lakelands delivery – $26,950 in 2023-24, $26,950 in 2024-25 (total $53,900).

Originally published as City Hall’s budget includes $33m for family services; $27m on parks, reserves; $19m for the arts