By Mikayla van Loon
Sticking to a budget of priorities and key services, Yarra Ranges Council made minimal alterations to the 2024-25 outlook seeing the final budget adopted with near full support.
The biggest adjustment, after a submission from Lilydale resident Rosemary Mosely during the consultation period, was the funding of $50,000 in 2024-25 and a further $288,000 in 2025-26 for drainage design and improvements on Chapel Street.
This was reallocated from the overall drainage improvement works budget, reducing the drafted 2024-25 figure to $150,000 and the 2025-26 allotment to $1,562,000.
No adjustments were made to Lilydale’s $550,000 for drainage upgrade works aiming to address flooding and erosion issues, adding to the total $3.5 million allocated each year for the next two years across the shire.
Across a six year plan, $16 million has been allocated to drainage upgrade works, as well as the foundational work required, which was noted as being a substantial increase from previous year’s budgets.
Roads in the urban area set for drainage works include Belle Vue Lilydale ($200,000), Carmen Reserve – Lilydale ($200,000), Fernhill Road Mount Evelyn ($445,000), Nimblefoot Way/Delta Close Lilydale ($150,000), North Avenue Mount Evelyn ($415,000), Wilsons Lane Lilydale Stage 1 ($50,000) and $263,000 for general drainage rehabilitation.
Cobden Crescent Lilydale ($552,000), Edinburgh Road Lilydale ($51,000) and Morrison Reserve ($123,000) have been cited for funding in the 2025-26 financial year to provide better drainage and stormwater management.
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.”
Cameron Court Kilsyth ($46,000), Clegg Road Mount Evelyn ($28,000), Greeves Drive Kilsyth, ($281,000), Lena Grove Kilsyth ($81,000) and Maroondah Highway Lilydale ($37,000) will undergo footpath rehabilitation works.
The Lions Park renewal has been allocated a further $25,000 for the reconstruction project, while the biggest reserve renewal projects included $2.1 million for the Chirnside Urban Park playspace at Belsay Reserve, the $4.2 million for the Pinks Reserve upgrades and the $2.9 million for Mount Evelyn’s Morrison Reserve playspace renewal.
Pleased to see Mount Evelyn’s projects funded, councillor Tim Heenan said however, 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.
“Infrastructure has been a most important fact in putting together this budget and some of the ageing infrastructure we have in the whole Yarra Range is going to need a lot more money spent on it in years to come,” he said.
“I sincerely hope that we’ll be able to obtain money through federal and state governments in the future, and not only leaving it to ratepayers.”
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.
The budget passed with support from all councillors bar Cr Heenan.
