Council budget 2018: Rates rise and more money allocated for leisure centre as Moonee Valley budget passes

COUNCILLORS of a northwestern council conceded money had to be spent on “big ticket items” to create a city equipped for the next generation.

A 2.25 PER CENT rate rise, grants and contributions will deliver a surplus of $5.9 million for the Moonee Valley Council, after the annual budget was approved on Tuesday night.

The East Keilor Leisure Centre redevelopment will receive an additional $1.1 million to complete design and headworks.

Cr Richard Lawrence said he wondered if residents had been asked if they wanted more money spent on the leisure centre.

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“Throw in the Flemington Community Centre and we’re getting up in the hundred millions … on big ticket items and that is a lot of money for a small council in inner Melbourne and it will leave a significant debt the community will have to repay. That concerns me,” he said.

However, Cr Jim Cusack said money had to be spent on the polarising leisure centre site and building because, without development, “we would have a hole in the ground that’s as useless as a second naval”.

“We spent $8 million on the Clocktower (and) the Clocktower does a great job,” he said.

Moonee Valley Mayor John Sipek and Deputy Mayor Samantha Byrne at the East Keilor Leisure Centre, which was a big winner in the council’s budget. Picture: James Ross

A further $6.1 million will be spent on upgrading roads and $3.9 million on open space, including $1.4 million on the Union Rd streetscape improvement. Nine submissions were received on the proposed budget.

In response, the council allocated $13,000 to Moonee Valley Toy Library, and $400,000 each for temporary change facilities at Fairbairn and Maribyrnong Park.

Crs Surace, Sharpe, Nation, Marshall, Sipek, Byrne, Cusack, Gates, and Gauci Maurici voted for the adoption of the budget, Cr Lawrence voted against.

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