Whitehorse Council budget 2019-20 reveals rates to increase with rate cap

Whitehorse ratepayers can expect their rates to increase by an average of 2.5 per cent each year for the next four years according to the council’s proposed budget. The council has also allocated millions for upgrades to a community hub and sporting pavilions.

Rates are forecast to increase by 2.5 per cent each year for the next four years in Whitehorse.

Whitehorse ratepayers can expect their rates to increase by an average of 2.5 per cent each year for the next four years according to the council’s proposed budget for 2019-20.

The draft budget reveals the council expects a $120.02 million income from rates in the next year, with rates expected to go up $39 for the average ratepayer — from $1556 in 2018-19 to $1595 in 2019-20.

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It forecasts this rate increase — the maximum permitted by the Minister for Local Government under the standard rate cap — will continue annually until at least 2022-23. When the council adopted the draft on April 15, Councillor Sharon Ellis said the rate increase had been balanced with the council trying to provide its services and upgrade infrastructure.

Whitehorse Council’s budget for 2019-20 is being advertised for public comment. Photo: Daniel Pockett

Councillor Andrew Munroe commended officers on drawing up the “fantastic” proposed $209 million budget, which plans to put $72 million towards capital works in 2019-20.

“We have the largest capital works program underway that the city has ever seen,” he said.

It designates $19.19 million to finishing the Nunawading Community Hub, $11.47 million to redeveloping the sporting pavilions at Elgar Park, Morton Park, Walker Park, Terrara Park and to start the new Sparks Reserve west pavilion, and $3.26 million to continue work on the Whitehorse Centre.

But the council was not unanimous in supporting the draft. Councillor Andrew Davenport voting against it.

He said he had issues with multiple items, particularly the cost at recreational centres.

“There has to be more done to reduce the burden on families with our fees and charges,” he said.

Nunawading Community Hub is being built at the former Nunawading Primary School site, which Whitehorse Council bought from the State Government. Annette Mason, Cr Andrew Munroe, Michael Challinger, and Elsie Mutton, visited the site after the purchase announcement. Picture: Steve Tanner

Cr Davenport also criticised the proposed fee increases at Harrow St carpark, and $500,000 “being allocated to telling people what they can and can’t do in their own backyard with tree protection controls”.

Several councillors argued they each had certain elements they didn’t agree on, and a budget would never be achieved if they were all as picky.

The council is taking written submissions on the draft until May 19.

Verbal submission will be taken on June 11.

More info: whitehorse.vic.gov.au/Proposed-Budget.html