A new library for Williams Landing and major road and open space upgrades were some of the highlights of the Annual Plan and Budget adopted by Wyndham City at the council meeting held on 25 June.
Wyndham City Mayor Cr Mia Shaw said that after extensive community consultation, the Annual Plan and Budget 2019/20 had been adopted and it looked like an exciting year ahead for Wyndham.
“This year we’ve allocated almost $140 million to building the infrastructure our community needs, for roads, community centres, sporting reserves, and more,” Cr Shaw said. “The Plan also outlines our vision, plans and strategies that will guide us over the coming year, and into the future.”
Cr Shaw said the 2019/20 Plan and Budget was a financially responsible and forward-thinking document.
“This Budget delivers not only essential infrastructure projects such as road and park upgrades, it also features a range of city-shaping projects that will contribute to the overall liveability of the City now and into the future,” Cr Shaw said.
Cr Shaw said that job creation through the attraction of new business and economic growth in the City continues to be a key priority in 2019/20, and Council’s reactivation of the Werribee City Centre will deliver legacy assets to support and encourage major investment.
She also said sporting reserves, parks and open spaces were a major focus of this year’s Budget.
“Parks are the heart of our community. That’s why we’re looking to provide more opportunities for outdoor recreation and sporting activities through major projects such as the Wyndham Park redevelopment, more localised projects such as upgrading the Little River tennis courts and kick-starting a number of master plans across the City for future active open space projects,” Cr Shaw said.
Meanwhile, another 50 neighbourhood parks across the City will be upgraded over 2019/20 through the Wyndham Parks 2021 project and pedestrian and bicycle access in and around the City will be improved to create a less car-dependent Wyndham.
Cr Shaw said this year’s Budget was also a family-friendly one, with $15.57 million allocated to the provision of kindergarten and children’s care services, and $11.29 million on maternal and child health and immunisation services.
Cr Shaw said there were many road works underway across the City and Council has re-prioritised its program to minimise the impact on motorists as well as making sure that there will be contractors available to do the works in a timely manner.
“We are also working with VicRoads to fix one of the most problematic intersections in Wyndham—the Point Cook Rd and Sneydes Rd intersection—by funding $250,000 to progress detailed designs so that the project is shovel-ready.”
Total rates for 2019/20 will increase by an average of 2.5% in line with the State Government’s imposed rate cap.
However, individual properties will be impacted differently depending on the outcome of annual Valuer General property valuations and some properties may face increases higher than 2.5% while others may see a reduction.
Highlights of the Budget
Some highlights include 6.9 million to complete the redevelopment of Wyndham Park in the heart of the Werribee City Centre
- $3.5 million to upgrade Hacketts Road, between Tamworth Grove and Aviation Rd, in Point Cook
- $1.74 million for the replacement and upgrade of the tennis courts, oval and pavilions at Galvin Park
- $11 million for various road reconstructions and resurfacing across Wyndham
- $900,000 to upgrade signals at key intersections
- $250,000 to design soccer facilities at Galvin Park
- $1.236 million towards a library in Williams Landing, and $233,000 for a mobile library vending machine in the interim
- $3.33 million for the continuation of the Wyndham Parks 2021 program, upgrading 50 neighbourhood parks across Wyndham
- $3.6 million for the construction of a new integrated family centre at Truganina East
- $15.57 million to the provision of kindergarten and children’s care services
- $11.29 million for maternal child health and immunisation services
- $8.57 million to run Wyndham libraries
- $6.40 million to maintain our parks and open spaces
- $4.57 million to provide in-home care support to enable older residents to live independently
- $1.37 million for grants to be distributed to community groups and organisations for initiatives that support the wider community.
To view the budget, visit: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au
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