By Mayor of Hobsons Bay, Councillor Tony Briffa
As we all know, the cost of living is a major issue for so many of us right now.
Whether it’s families, businesses or governments, our dollars are simply not going as far as they were before inflation started increasing.
That’s why it’s so important we make decisions about our finances that provide for what we need now while also keeping the long-term in mind.
Last week, Hobsons Bay City Council adopted the 2023-24 annual budget, which includes $65 million for infrastructure, as well as funding for more than 100 services our community relies on.
It is a budget that gets the balance right between providing these great community assets and services, while recognising that ratepayers might be doing it tough financially.
For residential properties, the average rate increase will be less than one per cent, much lower than the inflation rate.
It’s important to remember that unlike the taxes collected by other levels of government, rate revenue raised by councils usually stays within the community.
It goes to building the new pavilion at your sports club, upgrading the road you drive down every day to work, and creating and maintaining the parks and open spaces you enjoy with family and friends.
It delivers the maternal and child health services that are vital for new parents in the early weeks, months and years of a child’s life. It helps our older residents maintain their independence and remain an active physical and social part of our community.
It delivers library services, which are so much more than just lending books. Our libraries are educational facilities and social hubs, and a key way to access Council services.
It delivers art and culture projects that make Hobsons Bay a more vibrant place to live and helps keep our community more informed and engaged.
I can’t wait to see some of the fantastic projects that will come to life thanks to this budget.
The Centre of Excellence at the new Altona Meadows Library, the redevelopment of the southern area of Bruce Comben Reserve, a multipurpose facility at Dennis Reserve, the McCormack Park bridge, and road and cycling upgrades on Railway Avenue.
These are just a few of the wonderful community assets that will be developed because of this budget. Council has also allocated $600,000 in 2023-24 and $900,000 in 2024-25 for stage 1 of the Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre – one of Council’s key advocacy priorities.
The budget is more than a financial document – it’s our vision for the next year and how we will serve and provide for our community.
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