How Merri-bek’s draft 2024-25 budget will affect you
From rates, parking and waste management to pets and sports — here’s how the Merri-bek 2024-25 budget will affect you.
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Merri-bek homeowners will pay an extra $54.57 on average for their rates in FY25 and that’s not even including increases to their rubbish collection bills.
The City of Merri-bek’s draft budget of $232m for the upcoming term includes increased rates and levies, adding to the financial burden on residents as cost-of-living pressures mount.
Councillors will meet on May 29 to hear community members’ thoughts on the proposed budget.
Merri-bek council has allocated $83.1m in capital works program in 2024-25.
About $40,000 will be spent on separated bike lanes at Coonans Rd and Reynolds Parade and $150,000 will go towards the installation of sunshades over Merri-bek’s playgrounds.
Mayor Adam Pulford said the city was facing a “challenging economic environment” with the state government setting the rate cap at 2.75 per cent, which he said was “lower than the inflation rate” presenting challenges for the budget.
“We know our community feels the continuing cost-of-living pressures due to high inflation. However, the rate cap set is lower than the inflation rate … However, I am proud to say we continue to deliver for our community while remaining in a strong, sustainable financial position.”
Mayor Pulford said the latest budget focused on core services and infrastructure.
“Council is delivering more walking and cycling infrastructure by exceeding our commitment to spend $12 of rates funding per head, and this commitment will continue to increase each year in line with the rate cap,” he said.
SEE HOW MERRI BEK’S BUDGET WILL AFFECT YOU
More than 80,600 registered homes in Merri-bek will pay an average of $1868.40 yearly in rates, an average increase of $54.57, while commercial properties will pay $144.36 more on average.
The total revenue from rates is projected to be $194.1m.
HOME & FAMILY
Waste management
Merri-bek residents on an average will pay $288.4 on waste management yearly.
But for those using larger bins, the fees will be even higher.
The mixed recycling bin will see an increase of $7.76, your green bin is going up by an extra $20.54 and the large rubbish bin will set you back $41.27 more than it did last year.
Childcare
Parents will see increases in childcare fees for council funded facilities.
Parents will pay $2.15 per hour in admin fees to have their children in family daycare, while school holiday programs will increase to $92 a day.
Merri-bek council is investing $22.2m for upgrade works on several childcare facilities over the next five years including the Brunswick Early Years Hub and the Dunstan Reserve childcare centre.
Vaccines
Prices to get your shots will also increase for the 3673 babies, 2239 schoolchildren and 830 adults who are immunised in Merri-bek every year.
Prices of vaccines are set to increase, with the Bexsero vaccine now costing $142, the chickenpox vaccine $78.30, and tetanus injections $50.50.
Pets
People with furry friends will pay more in fees with pet registration set to increase for the 22,000 animals registered in Merri-bek.
Cat owners will pay $97.10,to register their felines but that rate is heavily discounted (about a third of the price) if the cat is desexed.
Dog owners will pay almost double the cost of their feline counterparts as registering their canine friends will increase to $170.
Permit parking
Residential on street parking permits will rise to $47.75 while permits for visitors will cost $28.05.
Ticketing parking
Motorists will pay more to park their cars, with ticketed parking increasing to $3.30 an hour or $11.40 a day.
SPORTS & RECREATION
Swimming
It will cost more to beat the heat in Merri-bek with the swimming entry fee for adults to increase to $8.10.
Children’s entry will also increase to $5.10, while parents who are are just watching (and not swimming) will also increase — to $3.80.
Spa and gym
If you want to use Merri-bek owned steam and sauna you will pay an increase to $14.90.
Those trying to keep fit will also pay more for using the gym with fees increasing to $18.40 per use, while hiring a personal trainer for one hour will set you back $91.80 per hour.
Sports grounds
Sports ground hire will also increase, so expect to see that in your rise in your club fees.
Council will spend big to complete the construction of the $36.9m Fawkner Leisure Centre redevelopment due to open in summer 2024-2025, while it’ll also put $60,000 towards a half-court basketball ring in Glenroy and $30,000 for a free basketball court and soccer fields for all of Fawkner.
ROAD & TRANSPORT
Council will spend $3.4m on footpaths, bicycle paths and transport infrastructure.
Merri-bek is investing $600,000 over two years on the O’Hea St bike path extension from Sussex to Derby St.
There is also $40,000 each budgeted for separated bike lanes on Coonans Rd and Reynolds Parade.
Plus, there are a bunch of transport infrastructure projects council will begin evaluating but they haven’t been assigned any funding in FY25.
These include the pedestrian network on Belair Ave Bridge in Glenroy, which crosses the Craigieburn rail line.
Seeking approval to add zebra crossings along Stockade Ave and Tanderun Dr in Coburg is also on the agenda for 2024/25.
Council will plan upgrades on the intersection of Victoria St and Napperby St in Brunswick West to address vehicle collisions.
Plans to improve the intersection and crossing at Jukes Rd and William St in Fawkner will also be underway in 2024/25.
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS & INVESTMENTS
The council will complete the construction of the $29m Saxon Street Cultural and Community Hub project this year.
About $40,000 is being set aside for more seats on walking routes to the shops, $60,000 for drinking fountains in shopping strips and $150,000 for the installation of sunshades over Merri-bek’s playgrounds.
The council is also tackling domestic violence by investing $59,000 in domestic violence prevention.
Other major projects the council is investing ratepayers money into include funding $19m to improve parks, open spaces and streetscapes and investing $17.6m on roads, car park upgrades and maintenance.
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