Monash Council will embark on one of its biggest capital works program in the coming year as part of the 2019/20 Budget, including the $24.4 million redevelopment of Oakleigh Recreation Centre.
The $64 million capital works spend is around $20 million more than in 2018/19 and focuses on core services such as drainage, footpaths and roads identified by the Monash community as important upgrades.
Council’s 2019/20 Budget was adopted at its 25 June meeting.
Mayor Shane McCluskey said the construction of the Oakleigh Recreation Centre and the waste and recycling services were a highlight of the 2019/20 Budget
“Oakleigh Recreation Centre will be transformed into an outstanding integrated multi-purpose sports precinct, featuring five new indoor basketball courts, a gymnasium upgrade and conversion of the existing stadium to a regional level gymnastics facility for the Waverley Gymnastics Club,” Cr McCluskey said.
“This is one of our most exciting projects ever and will deliver fantastic benefits to users and help to encourage more participation in sports, which has the natural flow-on effect to the health and wellbeing of our community,” Cr McCluskey said.
The project is a joint collaboration between State and Federal Governments, Council and the Waverley Gymnastics Centre.
Cr McCluskey said the introduction of a food waste recycling service would be a game changer for Monash residents.
“We know that supporting our residents in more sustainable practices at home is really important to them and that’s why we are so excited about the introduction of our food waste recycing service in July 2020 ,” he said.
The introduction of the food waste recycling means that residents can dispose of food scraps in their regular green waste bin for composting.
“This service is one of the simplest ways people can reduce their household carbon emissions and we will be providing lots of information to the community ahead of its introduction,” he said.
Cr McCluskey said Monash was in the favourable position of having secured its household recycling collection until 31 March 2020 but China’s ban on some recycling materials resulted in an unexpected net cost to Council of $1.5 million per year.
He said as a consequence Council had to make the decision to introduce in 2018/19 a limited recycling levy of $22 per ratepayer to meet these increased costs.
“The critical outcome though is that our recycling service continues and recycling is properly processed, not sent to landfill. This limited levy will continue in 2019/20 at $22 per rateable property to recover the costs of the recycling crisis and pensioners will continue to receive a rebate for the full amount of the recycling levy.
“Our aim is to deliver a budget that is financially responsible, responds to the needs of our community and is fair – we believe this budget ticks these boxes.”
Highlights of the budget include:
- $900,000 upgrade for playspaces at Evelyn Street Reserve (Clayton), Electra Reserve (Ashwood), Melissa Street (Mount Waverley) including an accessible explorer trail and sensory path at Wellesley Road (Glen Waverley)
- Carry forward of $350,000 budget for design and construction commencement of the Brentwood Reserve Pavilion
- Commencement of the Princes Highway Reserve West Sportsground Redevelopment, Oakleigh East ($1.2 million)
- Completion of lighting upgrade works at Scammell Reserve, Oakleigh ($260,000) and Mayfield Park Reserve, Mount Waverley ($320,000)
- The design and installation of a modular clubroom facility for Waverley Archers at Freeway Reserve, Mulgrave.
