Residents invited to view City of Casey 2012/2013 Draft Budget: Issued 17 May 2012
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EmailMEDIA RELEASE: 17 May 2012
The City of Casey has adopted its 2012/2013 Draft Budget which includes a 4.92 per cent rate increase, in addition to a 0.96 per cent increase for the costs imposed by the Federal Government's carbon tax, and is inviting residents to have their say.
City of Casey Mayor Cr Sam Aziz said the draft budget featured a $57.6 million capital works program to deliver necessary infrastructure for Casey’s growing community.
‘As the eighth fastest growing municipality in Australia, Casey is expected to have more than 450,000 residents living in the municipality by 2036’, said Cr Aziz.
‘Council has worked hard to minimise the impact of the carbon tax, cost shifting from the State and Federal Governments, escalating utilities costs and waste collection and disposal costs on ratepayers, while ensuring we have maintained our investment in infrastructure to meet the current and future needs of our 253,000 residents’.
The Mayor described the draft budget as financially responsible and sustainable.
‘Four years ago, Council committed to containing rate rises to under 6 per cent and that’s a commitment we’ve kept to’, said Cr Aziz.
‘The cost of living pressures facing Casey’s residents are tough and Council has worked hard to reduce rate rises and limit their impact as much as possible.
‘While we would prefer no rise at all, we also know that the essential services which so many residents rely on, every day are critical and we cannot afford to stop investing in our community and its future.’
The Mayor said the draft budget focussed on enhanced service delivery for the community.
‘The draft budget features an operating budget of $211 million to ensure Council continues to provide vital services’, said Cr Aziz.
Major projects in 2012/2013 include:
- Commencement of the construction of ovals, an AFL and cricket pavilion and netball courts at Marriott Waters Estate, Lyndhurst
- Construction of a third kindergarten room, two maternal and child health consulting rooms and expansion of the community room at the Lynbrook Children’s Services Centre, Lynbrook
- Completion of the $2.4m Children’s Services Centre at Marriot Waters Estate, Lyndhurst
- Completion of the Berwick-Cranbourne Road/Casey Fields Blvd intersection, Cranbourne East
- Improvements to the gymnasium at the Endeavour Hills Leisure Centre, Endeavour Hills
Service highlights in 2012/2013 include:
- The delivery of 38,000 home delivered meals
- An increase of over 16,000 hours of home care, personal care and respite care
- Provision for up to 2,000 additional maternal and child health appointments
- Eligible children to access an increase in kindergarten hours from 12 hours per week to 15 hours per week
- More places and increased hours resulting in a 35 per cent increase in kindergarten provision to 61,200 hours across 40 locations
All residents are invited to view the draft budget and make a submission. The draft budget is available for inspection at the City of Casey’s Narre Warren, Narre Warren South and Cranbourne Customer Service Centres and on Council’s website at www.casey.vic.gov.au/currentconsultations.
The Council will consider any written submissions and adopt the budget at a Council Meeting to be held at the Civic Centre, Magid Drive, Narre Warren, on 19 June 2012.