2022-23 Budget

Budget highlights

Key highlights from Council's Budget 2022-23 include:

• Operating revenue of $256.98 million (excluding developer contributions, non-monetary assets and non-recurrent capital grants)
• Operating expenditure of $245.39 million
• Local roads restoration and resurfacing works of $11.96 million
• Upgrade parks and open spaces including Whittlesea Public Gardens, Kelynack Reserve and Redleap Reserve
• Deliver actions from the Investment Attraction Plan and Strong Local Economy Strategy Action
• Increase in Kindergarten spaces to meet the needs of our growing population
• Design of Aboriginal Gathering Place
• Continue to make it easier for residents to interact with Council through the delivery of our Customer First project
• Draft and consult with community on a new Green Wedge Management Plan
• Implement Rethinking Waste Plan including the provision of glass bin recycling service
• Increasing our tree canopy cover as part of the Greening Whittlesea Strategy.

Capital works program highlights

Our Budget 2022-23 delivers a focused $51.67 million capital program that reflects the ongoing challenges to the supply and availability of labour and materials as a result of the pandemic and invests in planning for shovel-ready projects to maximise our opportunities for grant funding in future years.

Highlights include:

• Completion of Mill Park Basketball Stadium Redevelopment
• Completion of the Mernda Social Support Centre
• Continue improvements to Whittlesea Public Gardens which will include a skate park, rock climbing wall, basketball courts, barbecue and shelter area and a car park
• Construct a basketball court, shelter and social gathering spaces and upgrade paths at the western end of Norris Bank Reserve
• Norris Bank Tennis Courts Redevelopment (design)
• Commence designing the Patterson Drive Community Centre/Kindergarten in Donnybrook
• Commence foundational infrastructure for development of the Quarry Hills precinct including drainage and trails
• Commence construction of a new playground, shelters and a multipurpose court at Kelynack Reserve
• Minor planned renewal works
• Street light bulb replacement program
• Ongoing programs to upgrade playgrounds and general landscape
• Implementation of Greening Whittlesea including tree planting programs.

The Budget 2022-23 has been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards. The Budget aims to continue Council's commitment to invest in services and infrastructure in a financially responsible way by balancing the needs of our community while achieving long term financial sustainability.