Rate rise for facilities

A PROPOSED rate increase of 5 per cent will allow for almost $21 million to be spent on new recreation facilities, road and footpath construction and maintenance.
The draft budget was tabled at a special council meeting on Monday night with the majority of councillors supporting it.
Mayor Graeme Moore said the draft 2014-15 budget sought to deliver value for Cardinia Shire residents.
“Our aim is to balance delivery of infrastructure and services that our communities need while also recognising that many people are doing it tough and that careful financial management is crucial,” he said.
Cr Ross said he could not support the draft budget because the proposed rate increase was excessive.
He said many residents and businesses were struggling with cost of living pressures and called for cuts of more than $1 million in spending.
Cr George Blenkhorn warned that if the bid by Cr Ross was successful, the community grants rollout, which he described as one of the council’s best programs, would have to reduce; the Lang Lang bypass would be delayed; Catani Recreation Reserve would not get its lights this year and Officer Secondary College stadium would be delayed.
Highlights of the capital works program includes:
– Officer Secondary College stadium ($1.65 million);
– Continued development of the regional soccer facility at IYU Recreation Reserve in Henry Road, Pakenham ($1 million);
– Further works on Lang Lang Bypass and Holm Park Recreation Reserve, Beaconsfield ($500,000 each);
– A shared footpath along Princes Highway ($500,000).
– New footpaths ($400,000).
The council will also invest $14.45 million into renewing and upgrading roads, bridges and footpaths, replacing drainage and improving recreation reserves and sporting facilities.
A grants program worth $450,000 will support community capital works projects while a further $200,000 has been set aside to implement improvements identified in township strategies.