Queen Victoria Market major winner in City of Melbourne council budget 2021

Parking fee revenue will rise to $52m and fine income soar as Melbourne City Council plots a mega infrastructure spend in their budget.

Melbourne City Council coffers will be boosted by huge increases in parking fee and fine revenue as the City of Melbourne battles to secure central city recovery.

Parking fee cash is expected to soar by 71.5 per cent to $52m and fines income to jump by 61.3 per cent to $39m over the next year, says the council’s draft budget released Tuesday.

But inner city ratepayers, including businesses, will get a rates discount of up to $50 as the council acknowledges the devastating impact of pandemic shutdowns.

“We are forgoing a (1.5 per cent) rates increase this year and absorbing that cost,” said Lord Mayor Sally Capp.

The council is expecting a rise in fees and fines as cars return to the CBD. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“This means that ratepayers will have more money in their back pocket at a time when every dollar is important for local families and businesses.”

On-street parking prices stay the same, with a one hour stay in the central city still costing $7.

The massive projected increase in parking fine and fine revenue is mainly due to the city returning to more normal traffic movements after long shutdowns in 2020.

Income from all fees and charges is expected to reap $124.3m in 2021-22 - a 58.1 per cent increase.

Despite the rates discount, rate revenue will jump 4.2 per cent to bring in $328m over the next year.

The total budget is a record $789.9m with a deficit of $26.2m, with the council aiming to return to surplus in 2022-23.

The council has pledged a $50m blitz on cleanliness and safety, including $15m for street cleaning and $1.1m for graffiti removal.

MARKET A MAJOR BUDGET WINNER

Restoration of Queen Victoria Market sheds and redevelopment of an inner city recreation centre feature in a record $244m infrastructure spend planned by City of Melbourne.

The delayed QVM renewal project will get $50m over the next year, with $13m to be spent on heritage shed work due to be finished in late 2022.

About 800 solar panels will be fitted on shed roofs to help power the market, while $11.3m will go on new facilities such as a trader and northern sheds.

A new visitor carpark in Queen Street is due to open in July, allowing the existing one to be turned into a 1.75ha plaza as part of the market’s $250m redevelopment.

Queen Victoria Market was a major winner in the City of Melbourne council budget. Picture: Sarah Matray

Amid criticism that the council has previously botched the rollout of key projects, a record $244.7m infrastructure program will be a highlight of Tuesday’s city council budget.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the investment in 2021-22 would create more than 2800 jobs and set the city up for prosperity and liveability “for generations to come”.

“Every tradie working on a site across the city provides opportunities for local traders — whether it’s a coffee and a sausage roll in the morning or an after work beer with their crew or a visit to a nearby physio,” she said.

“We are delivering 900 jobs across the Queen Victoria Market precinct renewal alone.”

More than $114m million will go on new infrastructure such as footpaths and roadways, at least $44m on renewing assets, and $72.3 million on upgrade and expansion works.

“We’re upgrading roads including Albert and Clarendon streets in East Melbourne, Epsom Road in Kensington, and Bourke and Lonsdale streets in the city,” the Lord Mayor said.

Ms Capp’s signature Greenline project will be allocated $1m for designs, but the $300m linear park plan will need state, federal and private funding to get off the ground.

The delayed QVM renewal project will get $50m over the next year. Picture: Mark Stewart

Also in Tuesday’s council budget is $10.2m towards the $42m redevelopment of Kensington Community Recreation Centre, and $1.8m towards the upgrade of Brens Pavilion in Royal Park.

The recreation centre will have an eight-lane pool, gym and three indoor sports courts.

Several current projects like upgrades for Southbank Boulevard, Enterprize Park and the corner of Elizabeth and Flinders streets have been significantly delayed.