APRIL 24, 2018 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
(Marco De Luca)
Garden full of memories An Anzac memorial garden is being unveiled at Sunbury’s Killara Primary School today. The school community will be joined by members of Sunbury Returned and Services League, the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corp and the Australian Women’s Army Service for the unveiling. The memorial, which honours those who served in WWI, is the result of the hard work of three of the school’s teachers and funding from the Anzac Centenary Local Grant Program. Teachers Sarah Round, Kelli Brogan and Robyn Smith designed, organised and helped with the painting and gardening of the memorial. The garden features a mural that depicts the WWI Battle of Lone Pine, a bench seat, two metal soldiers standing to attention and 3D metal poppies scattered throughout the area. Ms Smith said the school’s pupils would spend time at the garden learning about the Anzacs and their plight. “It’s a wonderful area for students and community members to gather and pay their respects,” Ms Smith said. Serena Seyfort BRODY, EMILY AND COOPER
■ Anzac
Day services: Page 8
Budget brings rates pain By Serena Seyfort Rates and charges for Macedon Ranges property owners will increase by an average of $89 under the council’s proposed budget for 2018-19. The proposed rise of 4.2 per cent for average rates and charges will encompass both higher costs generated by the global recycling crisis and a rate increase of 2.25 per cent. The council plans to significantly increase the waste service charge – which is separate from rates – to cope with the higher charges from
waste collectors following China’s decision in January to raise its standards for the quality of recyclables it accepts. The council has been covering those costs in the short term, but is planning to pass future costs on to residents. The new waste charge will likely result in a $49 yearly rise in kerbside collection charges for the average ratepayer. The council is in the process of negotiating a new contract for waste collection, but said the increased waste charge reflected the market cost of having kerbside waste collected, transported, treated and recycled.
On top of the waste charge hike, the council proposes to increase rates by the maximum amount permitted under the legislated rate cap of 2.25 per cent. In the past financial year, owners of property with an average value of $584,026 paid $2105 in rates and charges. Under the proposed budget that will rise to $2194. The council will generate almost $48.4 million from rates, municipal charge and waste service charges under the 2018-19 budget – almost $2.5 million more than in the past year. But the council’s expenditure on materials
and services will increase by $1.5 million, predominantly because of the recycling issue. The council’s salaries and wages will increase by $900,000, which is being mostly attributed to enterprise bargaining agreement wage rises and salary band increases. Staff numbers are expected to remain at a similar level to those of 2017-18. The council is taking feedback on the draft budget until May 22. Visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/yoursay to give feedback, or email mrsc@mrsc.vic.gov.au. ■ Budget
big on community assets: Page 5