Moving Ahead 14

MOVING AHEADIn the City of Melton 14Spring 20202020/21Budget Special

MAYOR’S MESSAGECOUNCILLORS AND WARDSAs we draw closer to the Council elections whichwill be held in October this year, I’d like to take thisopportunity to express how honoured I’ve beento serve this community over the past four years.The support and encouragement I’ve received fromresidents during this term has been humbling, and I’veenjoyed contributing to making this community an evenbetter place to build a home and raise a family.Your local Councillors are:The past six months have proven very challenging for many, as wecontinue to navigate this global pandemic. The wellbeing of ourcommunity is paramount for Council, and we have worked diligentlyto reimagine the way we do things, so our residents can continueto access the programs and services they need to lead healthyand happy lives. This includes preparing our annual budget, whichin 2020/2021 has been framed around a zero per cent rate rise,taking into account the needs of all residents, many of whom areexperiencing hardship at this time.Watts WardMayor, Cr Lara Carli0409 951 020lara.carli@melton.vic.gov.auCr Michelle Mendes0437 249 824michelle.mendes@melton.vic.gov.auCoburn WardCr Ken Hardy0437 226 887ken.hardy@melton.vic.gov.auCr Sophie Ramsey0412 584 067sophie.ramsey@melton.vic.gov.auCr Yvonne Sebire0455 622 581yvonne.sebire@melton.vic.gov.auCr Bob Turner0412 584 224bob.turner@melton.vic.gov.auCr Lara CarliMayor City of MeltonCambridge WardDeputy Mayor, Cr Steve Abboushi0437 231 680steve.abboushi@melton.vic.gov.auCr Goran Kesic0437 241 436goran.kesic@melton.vic.gov.auCr Kathy Majdlik0412 584 058kathy.majdlik@melton.vic.gov.auWORKSHOPS, ACTIVITIES AND THINGS TO DO ONLINEMelton City Libraries and ArtsMelton Learning DirectoryThere’s lots to see and do onlinewith Melton City Libraries andArts. Enjoy English conversationclasses, join our digital book clubor participate in afterschoolactivities. You can also accessthousands of books, magazines,newspapers and movies online.If you’re looking for innovativeand interactive online programs,then look no further than theMelton City Council LearningDirectory.Visit melton.vic.gov.au/librariesto explore all our great onlinelibrary services, or go tofacebook.com/cityofmeltonlibraries toparticipate in activities foradults and kids. Take an onlinetour of our latest exhibitionsand explore arts programs atmelton.vic.gov.au/artsOffering weekly classes andworkshops, the Directoryshowcases local tutors andengaging content that’s fun andeducational for all, includingcooking lessons, yoga, crafts andso much more.Visit meltonlearning.com.au orfacebook.com/MeltonLearningfor more info. All ages, allabilities there’s somethingfor everyone on the MeltonLearning Directory.Venture Melton webinars,tutorials and watchon-demand videosIf you’re looking for qualitybusiness-related webinars,tutorials and on-demand videosto develop your practical andcreative business skills, thencheck out Venture Melton’ssuper practical online tutorialsthat will have you energised andtaking action the moment youfinish.You can start anytime you wantand learn at your own pace.Get started, visit:vmbusinessnetwork.comMELTON CITY COUNCIL232 High Street, Melton193 Caroline Springs Boulevard, Caroline Springs31 McKenzie Street, MeltonPO Box 21, Melton VIC 33379747 agram.com/cityofmeltonofficial

2020/2021Budget UpdateZero per cent rate rise in 2020/2021Council was well into its budget planning process when the COVID-19 crisis struck, forcing us, and the rest ofthe world, into a largely unprecedented situation of social and financial upheaval.In response, Council focussed its energyon redeveloping its budgetso that it was not only financiallyresponsible, but also took into accountthe many residents who wereexperiencing financial hardship as aresult of the economic and socialrestrictions implemented to managethe coronavirus pandemic.To this end, Melton City Council’s2020/2021 budget has been reframedaround a zero (0%) per cent rate increase,and includes an 85 pensioner rebate foreligible property owners.0% 85RATE RISEThis clearly illustrates that we are asustainable Council that’s responsiveto community needs, and strives toprovide valuable services, programs andfacilities to ratepayers by investing innew and renewal infrastructure projects. 113.5 million 49.8 NGS 34.2 million 18.5 million 1.3 million 518,000ROADSRECREATION, LEISUREAND COMMUNITYFACILITIESFOOTPATHS ANDCYCLE-WAYSLIBRARY BOOKS 550,000 150,000 258,000STREET TREEPLANTINGPROGRAMSTREET LIGHTINGIMPROVEMENTPROGRAMPUBLIC ARTVISITmelton.vic.gov.au/budgetFOR MOREINFO

2020/2021Major ProjectsCOMMUNITYCENTRESROADSRECREATION 2.17 million 1.15 million 22 millionConstruction of Eynesbury Station EarlyLearning CentreTRAFFIC SIGNALSSignalisation of the intersections at: 4.24 millionCaroline Springs Boulevard at RockbankMiddle Road, and The CrossingConstruction of a roundabout at theintersection of Mount Cottrell and Greigs RoadsConstruct Cobblebank Indoor Stadium 500,000Construct stage 1 and 2 Eynesbury RecreationReserveDesign works to seal Troups Road South,Mount Cottrell 500,000Design duplication ofHume Drive, between Calder Park Drive andGourlay Road, Taylors Hill 2.9 millionBrooklyn Road and Station Road, Melton 5.3 millionTaylors Road at Westwood Drive, Taylors HillBUILDINGS AND INFRASTRUCTUREUPGRADES 3.89 millionExpansion of the Melton Recycling Facility 1.1 million 10.4 million 1.6 millionConstruct Diggers Rest Community Pavilionand Oval 2.15 millionRefurbish and expand Brookside Pavilion 2 millionTaylors Hill Recreation Reserve facilitydevelopment 1.5 millionConstruct stage 2 MacPherson Parkredevelopment projectConstruction of soundwalls at Silverdale EstateCOVID-19: Council’s response to the worldwide crisisCOVID-19 has changed the waypeople, businesses and communityorganisations get things done ona local, national and global level,and Council is no exception.Over the past six months, we haverestructured, repositioned and reimaginedthe way we deliver services and programsto our community.We’ve set up special interest groups onsocial media for seniors and new parents;and created dozens of free, educational andrecreational videos covering topicsincluding yoga, cooking, job readiness, andmoney management, just to name a few.We’ve transitioned many of our face-toface services to online delivery includingEarly Years Programs like PreschoolStorytime, Toddler Time, Babytime and LittleSteamers; Sons of the West; online artexhibitions and workshops; Councilmeetings and citizenship ceremonies; andeven held a virtual Career’s Expo thatattracted over 7,000 visitors.We’ve promoted our local businesses onlineand in local papers, and offered freemembership to our Venture MeltonBusiness Network to July 2021. We’ve eventaken some programs targeting our movevulnerable residents out to the communityby delivering craft kits to seniors and Playand Learn at Home kits to families; andestablished our highly successful Click andCollect and Click and Deliver programsfor our library members.Financial hardship, fees and chargesOne of our most significant initiatives hasbeen the development of policies andprograms that look at how we can helpease the financial burden many of ourresidents, local groups and clubs are facingat this challenging time. This includes: 0% rate increase for the 2020/2021financial year rates deferrals payment plans waivers for interest on rates fee waivers for sporting clubs andassociations; 2020/2021 business permitrenewals; Street Trader permits; Foodand Health registrations; and Planningfees for commercial use and developmentfor six-months refunds for venue hirers who have paid inadvance.To find out more about Council’sresponse to the COVID-19 crisis andthe programs and services you canaccess at this time, visit our websitemelton.vic.gov.au/covid19

Day-to-day transactions?Get online!With our Customer Service Centres closed due toCOVID-19 restrictions, it’s important to know youcan still undertake those all-important, day-today, face-to-face transactions on Council’swebsite—like paying your rates and invoices,registering and renewing your pet registrations,booking a hard waste collection and submittinga planning application.Visit melton.vic.gov.au and you can also access a wealth of information about onlinelearning and training opportunities, community grants, library services, activities forteens, seniors and children’s, support for new parents and much, much more.

MOVING AHEAD 14 In the City of Melton Spring 2020 2020/21 Budget Special. COUNCILLORS AND WARDS Your local Councillors are: Watts Ward Mayor, Cr Lara Carli 0409 951 020 lara.carli@melton.vic.gov.au Cr Michelle Mendes 0437 249 824 michelle.mendes@melton.vic.gov.au Coburn Ward Cr Ken Hardy 0437 226 887