Wyndham City has adopted its Integrated Plan and Budget for the 2016/17 financial year at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Monday, 28 June, which includes $100 million of important capital works.
The Budget was developed following consultation with Wyndham residents and includes $45 million to be spent on building and upgrading local roads, $15 million on parks, landscaping and oval improvements, and funding to help activate the Werribee CBD.
Wyndham City Mayor, Cr Adele Hegedich, said the Budget had been adopted after Council’s application for a variation to the State Government imposed 2.5 per cent rate cap has been denied.
“Wyndham City developed the proposed Budget ahead of the possibility that we would be operating in a rate capping environment,” Cr Hegedich said.
“Residents told us clearly that they did not want to see a reduction in Council services or significant cuts to our capital works program and this Budget delivers on those requests,” Cr Hegedich added.
“While some sacrifices to Council’s capital works program have had to be made, this remains a responsible Budget that plans for Wyndham’s exciting and challenging future,” she said, and added that the Budget includes productivity and efficiency gains of around $1.4 million via a number of initiatives such as revenue increases for some services, a reduction in new staff and a reduction in insurance premiums following a review of the level of cover.
Cr Hegedich said some submissions to the Budget made by members of the public had also been accepted. “Council will implement two of the three suggestions made by Wyndham residents, which is a great result,” Cr Hegedich said.
She added that the adopted submissions will see a new pedestrian crossing built and a footpath reconstructed in Werribee South, both of which will help improve safety for residents in Werribee South.
“This Budget has been developed for the people of Wyndham, so it is excellent that we have been able to accommodate suggestions made by local residents,” she said.
To view the Budget visit www.wyndham.vic.gov.au
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