Record investment in community facilities - Council Budget 2019-20

The  2019-20 Budget proposes a record $62.2 million investment in community infrastructure to deliver improvements in our early years’ facilities, libraries, sporting facilities, shopping villages and foreshore.

Bayside Mayor, Cr Michael Heffernan said Council had taken a balanced approach in developing the draft 2019-2020 Budget.

“In developing the proposed budget, Council has been careful to ensure we continue providing quality, cost effective services to our community whilst delivering an accelerated infrastructure program that will significantly shape the look and feel of our community for generations to come,” said Cr Heffernan.

Some of the highlights of this proposed budget include:

$2.9 million in early years infrastructure, including $1.5 million for an integrated Children’s Centre in Fern Street Black Rock; $800k for playground refurbishment; and $330,000 to upgrade Hurlingham Preschool (Brighton East) $18 million to upgrade sporting facilities including $6.9 million to commence construction of 12 outdoor netball courts in Sandringham (pending planning approval) and $11.1million for the redevelopment of seven sporting pavilions including AW Oliver Pavilion (Hampton East), Elsternwick Park Oval 2 (North Brighton) and William Reserve (Brighton) $3.4 million towards libraries, including; $3 million for the completion of the Sandringham Library redevelopment;  and $440,000 for library resources and collection renewal $3.3 million to improve Bayside’s shopping villages, including $1.2 million to implement the Beaumaris Concourse Streetscape Masterplan; design phase for the Sandringham Village redevelopment; street art in Sandringham and Middle Brighton; and implementation of the Graffiti Management Plan 2018. $9 million for CSIRO land to establish a Highett Community Hub $4.8 million will improve our magnificent foreshore, including $2 million for the Dendy Street Beach (Brighton) Masterplan improvements and Life Saving Pavilion (subject to VCAT approval);  HMVS Cerberus preservation works; Hampton beach access ramp; and a commitment to renew the Black Rock Surf Lifesaving Club.

A significant investment for Council in 2019/20 is the implementation of the Food & Green Waste program and progressing the establishment of an alternative waste processing facility in Melbourne’s south east, in collaboration with other councils in the region.

Mayor Cr Michael Heffernan said global changes in the recycling market are presenting a significant challenge for local governments across Victoria.

“Bayside residents must work together to reduce waste, recycle more and limit the amount of rubbish going to landfill,” Cr Heffernan said.

Other key initiatives in the draft budget include an ongoing commitment to the acquisition of gallery and public art; a feasibility study for a hydrotherapy/warm water pool; and adoption of the recommendations of the Pennydale and Highett Structure plans.

Council will continue to focus on improving the delivery of its statutory planning services which will see an expanded digital service delivery.

The draft Budget will be officially released for public comment on 26 April 2019 along with the Council Plan and Strategic Resource Plan. Residents can;

attend a public information session at Bayside’s Corporate Centre at 6.30pm on 16 May make a public submission online via Council’s Have Your Say page on our website by 31 May write to Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Mick Cummins email kbrown [at] bayside.vic.gov.au

A Special Committee of Council will hear submissions on 12 June, with Council making its final decision on the Budget at its meeting on 25 June.