Council reshapes 2020-21 budget to meet the needs of the community

Published on 19 May 2020

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Maribyrnong City Council has reshaped the proposed Annual Budget 2020-21 in order to provide $4.1 million in support packages for residents and businesses affected by COVID-19.  

Endorsed by Council on Tuesday 19 May, the budget delivers valued infrastructure projects, programs and services for the community whilst also assisting those who have been financially impacted by the pandemic.  

The proposed Annual Budget 2020-21 of $149.7 million includes a robust capital program valued at $52 million. The Budget has been developed in line with Council’s Long Term Financial Strategy and the Council Plan 2017-21 to ensure a sustainable future.  

Some of the key highlights of the proposed budget include:

  • The introduction of the COVID-19 Financial Hardship Policy;
  • The deferment of the quarterly rate payments (May and September) for affected businesses and residents;
  • Allocating the full amount of $1.9 million (a 2 per cent rate increase in line with the government’s rate cap) to ratepayers struggling with the impact of COVID-19. This will be quarantined as a rate rebate, ensuring every last dollar is spent assisting those who need it the most.
  • Kinder central enrolment fees waived until the end of 2020;
  • Pet registration fees to be waived/reimbursed;
  • Rental discount of 50% for commercial tenants of Council owned properties affected by COVID-19 up until June 2020;
  • Not-for-profit community sporting clubs, lease, licence and ground fees waived until 31 December 2020;
  • Provision of a new Community Arts Grants Program for projects run by arts organisations in Maribyrnong, totalling $300,000;
  • Capital projects, including:
    • $12.535 million for parks, open space and streetscapes in capital and improvement works including the planting of trees in streets, boulevards, and parks across the City
    • $12.721 million to improve Council-owned roads across the City
    • $3.060 million to build and improve footpath and cycle ways
    • $1.791 million for recreational, leisure and community facilities
    • $650,000 for off street carparks and other infrastructure
    • $639,000 in waste management
    • $320,000 for city amenity
    • $80,000 for an update to the Footscray City Edge Masterplan
    • $100,000 in street furniture repair and replacement
    • $120,000 for additional drainage maintenance
    • $100,000 for the installation of green street lights

Community consultation on the budget

Council is inviting community feedback on the proposed 2020-21 Annual Budget and Strategic Resource Plan via our online community engagement platform Your City Your Voice: www.yourcityyourvoice.com.au

There are a number of ways you can have your say:  

  • Council will host a live streamed Question and Answer (Q&A) session on the proposed Budget 2020-21 via a moderated webinar session on 3 June 2020. This opportunity enables residents to ask questions about the proposed 2020-21 Budget. Council’s Executive Team will be available to provide live responses to questions.  
  • Ask questions via the Your City Your Voice Platform - from 4-11 June - Council’s Executive Team will be answering questions submitted online via Your City Your Voice from 4-11 June.  
  • Budget Bites - We will be profiling core areas of the budget for community discussion throughout the consultation period – through a ‘budget bites’ program on Your City Your Voice - www.yourcityyourvoice.com.au
  • Written Submissions - Members of the public are invited to make written submissions to the Proposed Budget 2020/2021 / Strategic Resource Plan 2020-2024. Written submissions must be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Maribyrnong City Council, PO Box 58 Footscray 3011, and will be received until 5pm on 18 June 2020.  
  • Emailed submissions - Written submissions may be emailed to budgetsubmissions@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au
  • Online submissions - Submissions can also be made online at www.yourcityyourvoice.com.au
  • Community Group Meetings Online - We will also be engaging with a number of key stakeholder groups virtually and online in relation to the budget.  

A word from the Mayor, Cr Sarah Carter:

“We have always worked to place the needs of our community first and during the global pandemic of COVID-19, it meant reshaping our Annual Budget 2020-21 to quickly respond to the concerns of our residents and local businesses.  

Our Annual Budget 2020-21 continues to deliver a responsible and balanced budget, whilst maintaining excellence in service delivery, providing a strong capital program and giving much needed support for those who have been impacted by COVID-19.  

I welcome and encourage all community members to have your say via the ‘Your City Your Voice’ engagement platform.”  

For further information visit: www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/budget and consultation platform www.yourcityyourvoice.com.au or contact Customer Service on 9688 0200.

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