Adopted Budget 2009/2010 - Top 10 new initiatives

The top 10 initiatives for this year's budget are as follows:

$14.3M Redevelopment of Thomastown Aquatic and Leisure Centre

Redevelopment of the Thomastown Recreation and Aquatic Centre commenced last year and will be completed at a cost of $24.6M (which includes a $2.87M State Government grant).  When the new centre opens in mid 2010 it will include a new indoor 25 metre pool, toddlers pool, larger gym and additional program rooms, along with separate hydro and warm water pools.

$3.4M road upgrades

$1.7M will be spent resurfacing and resealing local roads and another $1.7M for reconstruction of local roads.

$2.4M Construction of the Laurimar Community Activity Centre

The Laurimar Community Activity Centre will be constructed over two years and will include maternal and child health and family services facilities.  The expenditure includes a $1.2M State Government grant.

$2.4M for design and construction of four sports pavilions

$700,000 will be spent completing refurbishment works at Epping Recreation Reserve and $756,000 completing an upgrade of the pavilion at HR Uren Reserve in Thomastown.  Both upgrades include improvements to changerooms, disability access, kitchen and storage areas. An additional $100,000 will see the redevelopment of Partridge Reserve in Lalor completed.  Funds are also available to develop designs for a new pavilion at the synthetic soccer field in Harvest Home Road, Epping.

$750,000 Upgrade to playgrounds and surrounding parklands

More than $500,000 will be spent replacing old playgrounds at Darebin Creek Regional Parklands, Epping Recreation Reserve and Winchester Park in Epping; Monash Park in Lalor; Nick Ascenzo Park in Thomastown; Taunton Park in Bundoora and Mernda Recreation Reserve in Mernda and another $250,000 for improved pathways, seating, fencing and shade provision at these locations.

$727,650 Installation of environmentally friendly street lighting

Council will replace 8,200 street lights with more energy efficient lighting that will result in fewer carbon emissions.

$575,500 Construction of a recycled water pipeline to irrigate sportsgrounds

A pipeline will be constructed in O'Herns Road, Epping to pump recycled water from the Aurora Estate to irrigate five local sports grounds.

$375,000 allocation of funds to community groups and agencies

Council will allocate $115,000 to community groups to assist them in providing programs for the community and $100,000 to support senior citizens groups in their activities.  A further $159,000 will be allocated to Whittlesea Community Connections to provide advocacy and welfare services to the community.

$300,000 upgrade of the Whittlesea Community Activity Centre and Preschool

The Whittlesea Community Activity Centre will undergo a $2M upgrade and extension over the next two years.  $300,000 has been allocated in 2009/2010 and $1.7m is proposed for the following year.

$100,000 planting of new street trees

Council will renew its street tree planting program which has been suspended for a number of years due to the drought.  The availability of recycled water will enable more than 500 trees to be planted to replace those which have died as a result of the drought.