This year’s proposed Council budget generated a high 37 submissions from the public, the majority of them generally supportive. Only two submitters raised concerns about the 4.9% rate income increase, which works out at an average of $47 per year extra for an average Yarra property, and is lower than most Victorian Councils’ rate increases this year. One submitter supported the rate increase.
A number of groups requested additional funding for specific projects, three of which were able to be accommodated in the final draft:
- $3000 for the Yarra Bike Fleet
- $20,000 sponsorship of Bicycle Victoria’s Bike Futures Conference and associated Yarra-based cycling events
- $5000 plus in kind support for the South Sudanese community’s independence celebrations
Requests for CCTV in Victoria St, a small park in Richmond Terrace, traffic calming in Richmond, the Link Community newsletter and additional swimming coaches at Yarra’s pools will be the subject of further investigation or consideration in the coming year.
The pensioner rates rebate was increased to $130, and while Community Housing Associations are no longer eligible for a rates waiver, a $130 rebate will apply to their properties, which we hope will help encourage them to keep building affordable housing in Yarra. We agreed to withdraw the proposed $105 outdoor heater fee because of the level of concern expressed about it by traders, but Council will continue to work to minimise the use of these heaters.
In moving the budget, Greens Councillor Amanda Stone added a mechanism to set up this year’s $100,000 transport campaign, and moved to approach the state government for funding assistance in implementing our multi-million dollar Bicycle Strategy.
The two ALP Councillors voted against the budget on grounds of dissatisfaction with the amount of money being set aside for the Indoor Sporting Facility, despite only two submissions being received supporting this facility, and six submissions expressing concern at the proposal to slash other initiatives to fund this future facility. The adopted budget includes $700,000 extra for the Indoor Sporting Facility, bringing the total in reserve for this to $3.1 million, following on from the decision last month not to sell Loughnan Hall.
One Socialist Councillor was absent from the meeting, and the other voted against the budget as usual. Thank goodness the independents understand that Council cannot continue to pay its staff, deliver services and maintain infrastructure without a budget.
While we would always like to see more money for Greens priorities, we believe in working collaboratively with our colleagues and the community to get the best possible outcome, and that this budget will continue to build Yarra’s community connectedness, sustainability, diversity and prosperity.
