Rural City Councillors have endorsed the 2024-25 Budget, paving the way for the rollout of a $49.7 million capital works program while cutting rates for more than 17,500 land-owners.
The increased capital works program over the previous financial year includes:
- $17.31 million on buildings and improvements including construction of the Red Cliffs Early Years Hub and the Nichols Point Kindergarten (subject to grant funding).
- $10.98 million on roads projects
- $5.19 million on drainage
- $2.90 million on parks, open spaces and streetscapes
- $3.32 million on recreation, leisure and community facilities.
Specific projects include:
- Nichols Point Recreation Reserve sports facility
- Stage 3 of the Mildura Riverfront Jaycee Park adventure playground
- Renewal and upgrade of the Murrayville Kindergarten
- Mildura Glass Sorting and re-processing facility
- Replacement of the Quandong Park Oval toilets.
The Budget endorsed last night included an amendment moved by Cr Glenn Milne, removing $1.5 million in proposed borrowings.
Mildura Mayor Liam Wood said that despite the 2.75% rate increase under the Fair Go Rate Cap, factors including changes to some property values over the past 12 months meant more than half of all land-owners in the municipality, or 17,545 properties owners, could expect a reduction in their Council Rates.
Other highlights in the Budget include more than $10 million on parks, playgrounds and trees and almost $4.5 million on community health, safety and wellbeing initiatives.
Wentworth Councillors have also adopted their shire’s budget for the next financial year.
Landowners are in for a rate hike of up to five-point-two-per cent, with an increase in sewer and water access charges and domestic waste charges.
Capital works projects include expanding the Buronga landfill and several road upgrades.
