Waste charge, debt increase in Moonee Valley’s draft budget
The 2019/20 draft budget for a northwest council shows how the global recycling crisis is hitting the hip pocket of ratepayers, with a 12 per cent increase in the waste charge.
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The global recycling crisis will push garbage charges up almost 12 per cent in Moonee Valley, the draft budget shows.
The drop in commodity prices for recycled materials overseas has pushed up the charges from $8.1 million in 2018/19 to $9.05 million in 2019/20.
Rates will rise at the state’s capped 2.5 per cent, raising $95.9 million to help deliver $175.5 million in revenue for the council.
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The draft budget’s $65.6 million capital works program includes $28 million for the next stage of the East Keilor Leisure Centre, $1.2 million to sports field upgrades at Maribyrnong Park, $3.8 million for Overland Reserve new pavilion works, and $1.6 million to upgrade playspaces, picnic facilities, pathways and landscaping at Woodlands Park.
Councillor Richard Lawrence was the only councillor to vote against the draft budget on the grounds the strategic resource plan, which is part of the budget, would put the council in a $60 million debt by 2023.
“We will be paying $2.25 million in bank interest by 2023,” he said.
“I cannot endorse the strategic resource plan for 2020 to 2023.”
Councillor Jim Cusack said councils must go into debt at times or there would be no opportunity for new and large projects that would meet future demand
“We have a growing community that we know is expanding much, much quicker than official estimates by state government,” Cr Cusack said.
The council surplus for 2019/20 is $12 million, down from $20 million last financial year.
Community feedback is being sought on the 2019/20 Draft Budget which has been
endorsed by the council and will be on public consultation until Friday, 10 May.
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