Knox Council budget includes no cash to restore Knox Basketball Stadium

Knox Council is proposing to spend millions on relocating its operations centre, developing Stamford Park and the construction of Henderson Rd bridge. But many are disappointed the proposed council budget doesn’t include cash to upgrade the Knox Basketball Stadium.

People have expressed disappointed Knox Council will not save Knox Basketball stadium in Boronia.

Knox Council is proposing to spend millions on relocating its operations centre, developing Stamford Park and the construction of Henderson Rd bridge.

The projects are part of the council’s draft 2019-20 budget.

Knox Mayor Jakes Keogh said the budget included a planned capital works program of about $92 million, of which about $60 million would be spent on new and upgraded community assets.

Cr Keogh said $32 million would be spent on maintaining and renewing community assets.

“We have also done an extensive review of council’s expenditure to identify some savings as a result,” he said.

He said the council was on track to achieve an operational surplus.

Rates will be capped at 2.5 per cent in line with the State Government’s Fair Go rates system.

The capital works program includes $11.5 million for the relocation of council’s operation centre; $9.029 million for the continued development of Stamford Park; and $5.5 million for the Henderson Road bridge.

An artist’s impression of the Henderson Rd bridge.

Knox Leader previously reported the council plans to shift its operations centre from Lewis Rd Wantirna South to Henderson Rd Knoxfield.

On the council’s Facebook page, several people expressed their disappointment council had not allocated money towards saving the Knox Basketball Stadium.

“$32 million on existing assets but you refuse to save Boronia’s basketball stadium! How’s that “listening to the community” going?” Pam Hutchinson said.

The council previously announced it was not viable to continue the costly upkeep of the crumbling Boronia stadium, that had been plagued by issues of flooding and structural damage.

Cr Keogh said council would continue to do maintenance on the stadium, with no set date for its closure.

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Cr Keogh said in the 2018-19 financial year, the council had so far spent $17,773 on works, and as part of the 2019-20 budget, the council had allocated $37,329 towards maintenance.

Cr Keogh said following a detailed structural assessment of the building in 2016, it was calculated the council would need to spend $6.2 million over the next decade to maintain and upgrade the building, including structural rectification works.

He said as a result the council resolved to decommission the stadium over the long term and develop the Knox Regional Sports Park, which includes the State Basketball Centre, with extra basketball courts, a move that will increase the number of courts in Knox.

The public can have its say on the budget until May 28.