By Mikayla van Loon and Callum Ludwig
Yarra Ranges Council’s 2024/25 Budget given the sign off by councillors at the Tuesday 25 June council meeting.
With funding commitments and project timelines finalised, as well as community feedback onboarded, the Star Mail looked at what the Council coffers will be supporting in the Dandenong Ranges.
Yarra Ranges Council has predicted slight reductions in both revenue and expenditure since the draft budget; down from revenue of $253.6 million and expenditure of $235.8 million to $252.9 million and $235.1 million respectively. This has seen the total surplus drop from $18.8 million to $17.8 million but the Council has maintained its net operating deficit of $3.5 million.
Council has stuck with its estimated $68.3 million expenditure through the Capital Works Program, of which $25.1 million will be rates funded, $1.6 million from contributions from various sporting clubs or other community groups and the rest through borrowings and external grants.
Drainage and footpath renewal works were heavily swayed to the Dandenong Ranges, seeing multiple projects receive funding in the immediate budget and the future figures.
Mayor Sophie Todorov said the increase in spending on drainage infrastructure equated to 300 per cent from the previous year based on calls from the community to do so.
“Given our region’s heavy rainfall and storm events over the last few years, it’s apparent that the community identified improving and maintaining drains to reduce flooding as one of the top priorities,” Cr Todorov said.
“One thing we heard loud and clear was that people want more focus on infrastructure, our roads, our footpaths and drainage and to maintain the assets we have.”
For the 2024-25 year, Dalkeith Crescent Belgrave ($50,000), David Hill Road Monbulk ($80,000) and Main Street Upwey Stage 1 ($100,000) will undergo drainage investigation and improvement works.
Glenfern Road Upwey ($214,000) and One Tree Hill Road Ferny Creek ($275,000) will see new connection paths constructed.
Other footpath rehabilitation works will occur on Burwood Highway Upwey and Mt Dandenong Tourist Road Kalorama this year, while further projects in Belgrave, Kallista, Upwey and Tecoma have been added to the list for 2025-26.
A projected investment of $577,000 in the extension of the Olinda Creek Trail was budgeted for the 2026-27 financial year.
Belgrave Township Improvements were cited for $386,000 in 2025-26 as part of the Urban Design Framework, including principal pedestrian networks and streetscape improvements.
The Belgrave Tennis Club and Community Space will receive $384,000 this year for renewal of the fencing and lighting for two courts, as well as upgrading the upper court surfaces for broader community use.
Stage one of the electrifying Monbulk Aquatic Centre received $250,000, while the Community Sports Pavilion at Monbulk had $161,000 budgeted for energy resilience upgrades including a solar PV system.
The final budget also includes a pie chart depicting how Yarra Ranges Council will allocate spending per $100 of rates;
Capital Works program projects chew up most of the money, with $20.36 going towards renewal projects and $9.02 for new projects.
$14.04 goes towards Council’s customer service and support services while roads, drains and footpath maintenance ($11.94) and parks, garden and recreation ($10.11) are the only other categories accounting for over 10 per cent of rates spending.
Property and facility management ($7.10), Council’s recently reduced health, aged and family care services ($5.19) and animal management, community safety and public health and compliance ($4.09) are the next to follow.
The Creative Communities program ($3.64), planning ($3.41), environment ($3.20), community recovery ($2.96), libraries ($1.88), community partnerships, development and engagement ($1.29) and civic governance ($1.06) round out the list. 71c of the per $100 rates spending is undisclosed.
Councillor Tim Heenan said he could not accept the 2.75 per cent rate rise for residents.
“It’s a great budget. I have concerns obviously, with the rates and I have concerns with what we’re going to do this year,” he said.
“In keeping with what I’ve been doing and the promise I made to my constituents, I’ll not be voting to accept that rise in the rates but I thank the council staff for all the work they’ve done in recognising some of the issues.”
Cr Heenan said given the restraints of budgeting “there’s a lot more we would want in here” but was grateful to have seen the community being listened to in the drainage investment.
The budget passed with support from all councillors bar Cr Heenan.
