The 2008/2009 Budget and 2008-2012 Council Plan that will meet key challenges in Bayside were adopted at Bayside City Council’s Ordinary Meeting on Tuesday 24 June 2008.

Bayside Mayor Councillor Andrew McLorinan said the modest budget commenced the process of addressing the four key challenges facing Bayside.

“The four key challenges set out in the 2008-2012 Council Plan are: achieving great neighbourhoods, environmental sustainability, closing the infrastructure gap and ensuring effective, efficient and financially sustainable operations.

“For great neighbourhoods we aspire to achieve planning outcomes that reflect community expectations together with creating a safe, healthy and valued environment where people are connected.

“For environmental sustainability we face the challenge of climate change and the need to demonstrate leadership on greenhouse emissions, water conservation and resource utilisation.

“On the infrastructure gap we must meet and manage the needs of the community in terms of our buildings, facilities, roads and drainage over time.

“We will continue to improve organisational performance which will respond to skills shortages, infrastructure gaps, rising power costs and new sustainability challenges, and continue to be a leader in the sector.

“The 5.5 percent rate increase is in line with our five-year strategic plan to ensure financial sustainability which addresses the community requirements for ongoing service delivery and asset replacement and enhancement. The total cost of service delivery is expected to be $65.3 million and capital projects program totals $20.1 million,” Cr McLorinan said.

Bayside Mayor Andrew McLorinan said the Budget was directly linked to the Council Plan 2008 –2012, derived from consultation with the community and other stakeholders.

“This Budget supports our key challenges by providing high quality community services for families; improving recreation and leisure opportunities; providing a better environment and open space; developing strategies to protect the amenity of Bayside; whilst maintaining and increasing safety standards,” Cr McLorinan said.

Council’s capital works projects listed in the 2008/2009 Budget include  $7.1 million on community facilities; $3.8 million on road infrastructure; $3.5 million on parks and sportsgrounds; $1.5 million on foreshore and conservation areas; traffic infrastructure $1.1 million; urban development $1 million; drainage infrastructure $974,000; just under $800,000 on library assets and information systems and $309,500 on arts and culture projects. Some of these figures include carried forward monies from last year’s budget and external contributions.

The Budget and Council Plan were made available for public comment, with Council accepting written submissions and hearing those who wished to speak in support of their submission at a Special Committee Meeting on Wednesday 18 June 2008.