AUGUST 25, 2020 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
Council rates freeze By Tate Papworth Brimbank residents will have welcome relief with the council passing a plan for a rates freeze for the 2020-2021 inancial year. As well as ofering no increase to rates, the 2020-21 budget, which was adopted at a recent council meeting, will support the council’s capital works program valued at $74.6 million. Cr John Hedditch pushed for further relief for ratepayers claiming the budget was too much “business as usual” in crucial times, but his motion failed. Mayor Georgina Papafotiou said the budget was a good outcome. “he budget is about being responsive and continuing to deliver a range of key services and programs that will support our diverse and resilient community and make Brimbank stronger,” she said. “A key feature of this budget is our commitment to a range of programs and construction projects that will support our social and economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. “his includes funding to deliver a new state-of-the-art health and wellbeing hub, on the site of the former St Albans Leisure Centre in Keilor Downs. he new hub will provide vital infrastructure forming part of our recovery strategy and delivering a range of health, wellbeing, educational and social support services for our community.” Cr Hedditch’s proposal included no increase to fees and charges and the cost of a 240-litre bin. To deliver the proposal, he suggested slowing a number of programs, including the St Albans Wellbeing Hub by $17 million and the Green Gully Reserve Oval two sports ground development program by $1.4 million. Priority bike paths and shared paths projects would be increased by $5 million, priority footpaths projects would increase by $2 million. Cr Hedditch said the current relief model didn’t go far enough. “Council has listened to the community and responded courageously to the crisis with the zero per cent rates rise decision and should be congratulated for it,” he said. “But at this crucial, once in a century disaster … the council budget still has too much ’business as usual’ in it and doesn’t go far enough right now.”
Citizens were sworn in online. (Supplied)
New citizens take online pledge Brimbank has welcomed more than 500 new Australian citizens during the COVID-19 crisis, in an online citizenship milestone delivering joy and new beginnings. One of Victoria’s most diverse municipalities and home to more than 200,000 people in Melbourne’s western suburbs, Brimbank hit the milestone earlier this month. A total of 509 Brimbank residents have now taken the pledge to become Australian citizens during the pandemic, with a little help from technology. hey hailed from 61 countries as diverse as Afghanistan, Chile, Eritrea, Jamaica,
Romania, the United States and Vietnam. Mayor Georgina Papafotiou said there was no shortage of enthusiasm when Brimbank conferees were asked if they would be willing to take the citizenship pledge online. “It’s been wonderful and humbling to be present for something that means so much to them – becoming an Australian citizen, a lifelong commitment,” Cr Papafotiou said. “Council staf have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this happen for our community members.” Brimbank became the irst municipality in the west to ofer online citizenship ceremonies back in June.
Ceremonies are conducted via Zoom to comply with restrictions on gatherings and social distancing measures. Sunshine North resident Asad Gill took part in Brimbank’s irst online citizenship ceremony. He wore a suit he had made in his home country of Pakistan, decorated the house in Australian lags and balloons while his ive family members and friends (the maximum allowed at the time) watched on. “his is my country, and I will do my best to give back what Australia has given me,” he said. Tate Papworth
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