Mildura Council draft budget reveals rate rise and 30% increase in leisure funding

Rate rises and extra funding for leisure and recreation feature in this year’s Mildura Council budget. See how much it will cost you.

Mildura City Council is proposing a 1.75 per cent rate rise to help pay for a 30 per cent jump on spending for the city’s recreation and leisure services, draft budget papers reveal.

Mayor Liam Wood said the increase in spending for these services would contribute to the community’s overall wellbeing.

Draft budget papers show council will collect a total of $81.42 million through municipal rates, including waste charges.

Mildura council released its $154.36 million draft budget on Friday for public feedback.

The budget aims to fund more than 100 crucial services for residents and businesses throughout the municipality. They include:

• $7.58 million for youth, children and family services;
• $4.12 million for community safety, health and wellbeing; and
• $3.85 million for customer services.

Mr Wood said the budget included $5.29 million being set aside for spending on recreation and leisure services, representing a 30 per cent increase.

“Our 2022-23 Draft Budget is very much about striking the balance between delivering the services our community expects and deserves while ensuring we continue to improve facilities and infrastructure across our region, and I think this budget does that,” Mr Wood said.

In addition to the increase in funding for leisure and recreation this year’s budget also contains a $49.73 million capital works program.

Some of the projects within the funding for capital works projects include:

• $17.17 million on buildings and building improvements:
  • second stage of the Mildura Sporting Precinct
  • Irymple Kindergarten extension
  • upgrades/improvements to the Lake Cullulleraine Community Complex
• $11.54 million in roads projects:
  • construction of stages two and three of the Meridian Road south of the Sturt Highway
  • reconstruction of the Etiwanda Ave and Tenth Street intersection
• $3.28 million on parks, open spaces and streetscapes:
  • Deakin Ave median redevelopment from Seventh Street to Eighth Street
  • Nowingi Place playground replacement
  • Springfield Drive park development

“A strong capital works program is a win-win for our community,” Mr Wood said.

“It means improvements to buildings, roads, and facilities that we all need to go about our daily lives, which at the same time generate jobs and economic growth in our region during construction. This is more valuable than ever as we continue to recover from the impacts of COVID-19.”

Feedback on the 2022-23 Draft Budget will close on Friday June 3, and can be made by visiting yoursay.mildura.vic.gov.au/budget.