Skip to main content

2023-24 Budget adopted

Bayside City Council has adopted our 2023-24 Budget to fund the delivery of more than 100 programs and services, consolidate investment in contemporary community infrastructure and help make Bayside a more liveable, inclusive and connected place.

It is the third budget of the 2021-2025 Council Plan and aligns with the aspirations of the community as emphasised in the Bayside 2050 Community Vision.

Bayside Mayor, Cr Hanna El Mouallem said the budget ensures Council remains focused on fundamental programs and services.

“The $179.6 million budget will help us invest in important infrastructure and highly valued services for our community,” said Cr El Mouallem.

“This includes continuing to expand services for our older residents - with an ageing community, we want to ensure that we can provide Bayside residents with the support they need to remain independent and safe in their homes,” he said.

“This is also reflected in our investment in a Warm Water Pool, which will provide exercise and rehabilitation facilities locally for our community.”

 

Building for now and the future

This budget ensures we will maintain and strengthen our underlying foundation of fundamental infrastructure. The $68.5 capital works investment includes:

  • $34 million for buildings
  • $7.8 million for roads, footpaths, and bicycle ways
  • $5.6 million on drainage.

The budget also meets our responsibilities to maintain, protect and upgrade our foreshore, parks and open spaces. Council is committed to providing high quality leisure and recreation places for our residents with investment in initiatives such as Hampton Foreshore Precinct, Red Bluff to Half Moon Bay Masterplan Stage 3, William Street Reserve Sportsground Renewal and Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve.

The 2023-24 Budget invests in key legacy projects with funding for Billilla Mansion, Beaumaris Arts Centre, Black Rock Life Saving Club, Fern Street Children’s Centre and Brighton Recreational Centre

As part of our Urban Forest Strategy, we have committed to planting more than 2,200 trees a year on Council land and increasing and protecting other forms of vegetation to create a cooler and greener Bayside.

Artistic render of the new Beaumaris Arts Group Studio exterior viewed from the Village Green
Investment will continue for the new Beaumaris Arts Centre (artistic render)

Rates

Bayside rates will rise by 3.5% in 2023-24 in line with the Victorian Government’s rate cap. This will result in an increase of $68 for the average ratepayer.

“Council receives more than 63% of all revenue from rates, which allows us to invest in important infrastructure and provide services for our community,” said Cr El Mouallem.

“The decision to increase rates is never taken lightly and I encourage any ratepayer experiencing financial hardship to contact us to discuss payment options and how we can assist.”

The Waste Management Levy will increase by 2.2%, driven by an escalation in waste disposal costs as determined by the Victorian Government. This highlights the need for further efforts to divert Bayside’s waste from landfill.

Increasing waste costs are passed directly onto ratepayers in accordance with Council’s policy of direct cost recovery. 

 

Budget Highlights

Goal 1: Our Planet

  • Climate Emergency Action Plan Implementation $0.45 million
  • Biodiversity Action Plan $0.35 million
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Project
  • Urban Forest Strategy Implementation $0.15 million
  • Park Improvement and Habitat Linkage Plan $0.19 million
  • Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve: Wetlands and Gateway Building $2.9 million

Goal 2: Our People

  • Municipal Health and Wellbeing Plan
  • Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan $0.10 million
  • Affordable Housing Strategy

Goal 3: Our Strategy

  • Dendy Beach Pavilion
  • Beaumaris Arts Centre $3.0 million
  • Warm Water Pool $2.1 million
  • Wangara Road Park Masterplan
  • Tulip Street Basketball Courts $1.0 million
  • Commence restoration of Billilla Mansion and precinct $0.72 million

Goal 4: Our Promise

  • Annual Budget
  • Annual Action Plan

Read the Budget 2023-24

 

Read more Bayside news