Moreland Council unveils $56m works program including community hub
A $16 million community hub, new sports grandstands and upgrades to the Coburg Leisure Centre are part of a $56 million works program in Moreland. And it could all be done with a freeze on rates.
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Moreland Council has unveiled a $56 million capital works program, with councillors urging community members to lobby for a rates freeze.
The 2020-2021 draft budget includes a large works program including the construction of the Wheatsheaf Community Hub, a City Oval Grandstand and Pavilion, a refurbishment of the Coburg Leisure Centre, a Gillon Reserve Pavilion and $3.17 million worth of footpaths and bike paths.
Councillor John Kavanagh said the $16 million dollar Wheatsheaf Community Hub project would be “suburb shaping”.
A $1.2 million recovery and rebuild package has also been set aside to offer coronavirus support for Moreland’s small businesses, arts communities and community groups.
A two per cent rate cap – in line with the restrictions set by the State Government – has been touted, but could drop to as low as zero after councillors Helen Davidson and Sue Bolton called for the community to submit expressions of interest for a rate freeze.
The draft budget also sees the continued implementation of the controversial Moreland Integrated Transport Strategy, which would see two-hour parking restrictions rolled out across parts of Brunswick, Glenroy and Coburg.
Another $8.5 million will be set aside for an Urban Forest Strategy, Zero Carbon Moreland Climate Emergency Action Plan and a Waste Strategy.
Five new parks are also planned for the municipality as part of the budget.
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Councillor Mark Riley said they were working in a difficult environment due to COVID-19.
“We want to build a future for this city,” he said.
“We’re fairly well placed given the impacts of COVID-19 now and into the future, as we don’t know when that will really alleviate.”
Councillor Ali Irfanli said a lot of amendments and changes had to be made to the budget for the same reason.
“There’s a significant amount of investment that we’re making,” he said.
Changes included bringing forward cash for the Coburg City Oval development and a number of other projects to “stimulate the economy.”
The draft budget is open for community submissions until 6pm on June 15.