Budget passed, future rate rises uncertain Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au KINGSTON councillors formally passed council’s 2015-16 budget last Tuesday (9 June). Ratepayers will face a 4.25 per cent rate rise as foreshadowed in the draft budget released for community feedback last month (‘Rates up by 4.25%’, The News 6/5/15). Councillors unanimously voted to pass the budget which included $52 million worth of capital works for community projects such as the Westall Community Hub ($4.3 million), a new Mordialloc Life Saving Club facility ($3.2 million) and works to progress the Chain of Parks plan in Kingston’s Green Wedge. “Council has worked hard to find savings right across our operations so that we could deliver on the things that matter most to the community and keep rates low,” the mayor Cr Geoff Gledhill said. “Due to our strong focus on sound financial management, council is well prepared to respond to the Victorian government’s planned rate-capping policy, which will be introduced in the 2016-17 financial year, and we will continue to deliver our community quality services and infrastructure within budget.” Council’s pensioner rebate will rise from $80 to $100. At the public council meeting to pass the budget Cr Ron Brownlees said Kingston Council had resisted the temptation to excessively raise rates before a planned rate capping plan by the Labor state government is due to come into force. “We didn’t do what a lot of other councils have done and say ‘let’s add another 2 per cent on to that and grab a couple another couple of
million dollars before the supposed rate capping comes in’,” he said. Cr Steve Staikos noted future rate rises are projected at 2.25 per cent but this may not be enough to enable council to continue to deliver all services to the community. “I would hope to see it closer to 3 per cent yet I know CPI is not growing by 3 per cent and 2.25 per cent may be a little bit higher than CPI is,” he said. Cr Staikos said Victorian councils needed to convince the Essential Services Commission review of the state government’s rate capping plan, due in November, that capping future rate rises at inflation is not feasible. Some other big ticket items in council’s 201516 budget include road repairs and resurfacing ($6.1 million), drainage works ($3.2 million), streetlight replacements ($1.5 million) and football repairs ($1.2 million).
Fire services levy up
THE Fire Services Property Levy will rise next financial year. Kingston residents and businesses pay differing rates dependent on location. Councils collect the levy on behalf of the state government. The Fire Services Property Levy is listed on annual rates notices as an individual charge. In Metropolitan Fire Brigade areas (northern part of Kingston), the levy for an average-priced home will rise from about $138 to an estimated $150. In Country Fire Authority areas (southern parts of Kingston), the levy will rise from about $160 to an estimated $181. Concessions are available for holders of an eligible pensioner concession card or Department of Veteran Affairs Gold Card.
Our famous...
CELSIUS
SALE NOW ON!
Hurry for June only All measure and quotes will be discounted by the Days Highest Temperature Todays Temperature is your Discount!
Quote $3000 Temp -18° % = $2460
Order same day and receive
NEW QUOTE
$2337
a further 5% OFF
Take advantage of our
Celsius sale
Volunteers: Wade Ransby, left, and Po Woon planting shrubs at Bonbeach last year. Picture: Gary Sissons
and...
Station clean up team PLANTING 1000 plants at Bonbeach Station on Saturday was a challenge for members of Chelsea Bonbeach Train Station Group. And their job was made easier by assistance from enthusiastic volunteers. The crew hosted the event, and provided materials, tools and a free sausage sizzle to thank everyone for their efforts. Volunteers are vital to the train station group’s cause: “It is a great way to get involved in the community and take advantage of schools’ volunteering programs,” president Wade Ramsby said. “The amazing thing with social media is that even those unable to attend can help us by sharing our Facebook event with family and friends.” The community project was part-funded by the state government’s Community Safety Fund Grant Program, which assists communities to implement crime prevention projects. “Pride in our public areas and amenities is important to the health and cohesiveness of our community,” Mr Ramsby said. “We have run a similar initiative at the station and adjacent car park.
“Planting out and generally improving the aesthetics of this area, we believe, has had a positive impact on local residents’ and public transport commuters’ perceptions of a cleaner, safer, and more engaged community. Passers-by are impressed, too. “We are heartened to receive encouraging comments about reduced graffiti and litter in the area. It’s really pleasing that locals admire our work and compliment us on the plantings in the train station precincts. It was rather drab place and largely ignored before.” Such a great job at Bonbeach could not have been completed without a good working relationship with Kingston Parks and Gardens staff. Removing green waste, picking up litter and mulching have turned the once overgrown and overlooked area into a space ready for some colour and life, Mr Ramsby said. To volunteer to help the group see the CBTSG Facebook page at facebook.com/CBTSG This project was also funded as part of the state government’s Community Crime Prevention Program.
Stand out
from the rest!
& blinds
5975 4665
The complete window fur nishing centre
51 Yuilles Rd, Mornington 3931 www.peninsulacurtains.com.au
Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 17 June 2015
PAGE 5