Budget adopted with record investment in community facilities

Council has adopted the 2019-2020 Budget, featuring a record $62.2 million investment in community infrastructure to deliver contemporary early years’ facilities, libraries and sporting facilities as well as upgrades in shopping villages and along the foreshore.

Bayside Mayor, Cr Michael Heffernan said the budget would enable Council to plan and deliver infrastructure that will serve the Bayside community for generations to come.

“This budget will deliver facilities that will be enjoyed by residents of all ages and interests for many years. It represents a significant investment across our municipality.”

“We are investing in sport, libraries, public art and our magnificent foreshore as well as upgrading key Council services such as planning, recycling and waste.

“From the construction of an Integrated Children’s Centre in Black Rock to the feasibility study for a hydrotherapy/warm water pool, Council is planning for the current and future need of our community”.

  Highlights of the 2019-2020 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 $330,00 to upgrade Hurlingham Preschool (Brighton East)  $18 million to upgrade sporting facilities including $6.9 million to commence construction of the new Bayside Netball centre in Sandringham (pending planning approval) and $10 million for the redevelopment of five sporting pavilions including AW Oliver Pavilion (Hampton East), Elsternwick Park Oval 2 (North Brighton) and William Reserve (Brighton) and commence the design on a further three. $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 2019-2020 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.

Bayside rates will increase 2.5 per cent on average in 2019-2020, in line with the Victorian Government’s cap on rates. Individual property rates may increase by more or less than 2.5 per cent depending on movements in property values compared with other properties in Bayside.

Over the past 12 months the value of Bayside property overall has decreased by an average of 3.5%. 

“Households with properties whose value has decreased by less than the average, or has increased more than the average, may see a rates increase greater than 2.5 per cent, while those with properties with a decrease greater than average may find their rate increase is less than 2.5 per cent. Overall, Bayside rates are firmly within the rate cap,” Cr Heffernan said. 

Council is required by legislation to use annual property valuations to set rates.  Rates and charges make up 71 per cent of Council’s revenue, with the remainder from fees, grants and subsidies.