Despite supporting elements of Yarra Ranges Council’s annual budget, many urban ward councillors unilaterally opposed the adoption based on the three per cent rate increase.
Councillors Len Cox, Tim Heenan, Mitch Mazzarella and Gareth Ward each raised points stating they did not agree with the rate rise.
But when it came down to the final vote, Cr Cox and Ward both voted in favour to adopt the 2025-26 budget, ultimately seeing the motion passed on Tuesday 10 June.
Based on principle, Cr Heenan said he could not support the budget as it would be going against his constituents’ trust in him.
“I have an understanding of trust with my constituents that I would not support the budget because of the rate increase,” he said.
“My constituents out there understood there would be more belt tightening, that there would be more streamlining of some of the services that we do in order to get a better outlay for the money that they have.”
Cr Heenan was, however, more than happy to see projects funded within the boundaries of his ward and nearby, especially those addressing capital works renewal and roads, drains and footpath maintenance.
These included drainage works for Chapel Street Lilydale ($386,000), Morrison Reserve Mount Evelyn ($300,000), Cobden Crescent Lilydale ($400,000) and $380,000 for footpaths in Billanook.
Toeing a harder line, Cr Mazzarella said he believed the council really “should have looked at freezing rates in real terms this year”.
“It would have sent a message that the council understands what our residents are going through, and it is prepared to show restraint during the cost of living crisis,” he said.
Pulling out two figures from the budget, including $9.8 million on IT infrastructure and $4.4 million on organisational development, Cr Mazzarella questioned the appropriateness of spending like this.
“We’re in the middle of a cost of living crisis. Food, energy prices are up and the council’s asking for even more money.”
Not supportive of a rate increase but accepting of the balancing act when producing a budget for a council of substantial size, Cr Ward said he would continue to push for a cost analysis of all services ahead of the next budget.
“I would support a comprehensive review of all council services, their cost and their impact on the community,” he said.
“We need to make sure we’re investing in the areas that matter most, and that every dollar is spent wisely in these economic times.”
Stating that he was “not 100 per cent satisfied” with the budget, Cr Ward said however, he felt rejecting the budget so late would jeopardise the council’s overall position and he would instead look ahead to make impactful changes for 2026-27.
Cr Mazzarella also foreshadowed a push over the next year for a full review of costs to provide “clear, measurable data to assess performance, outcomes and value for money for these services”.
Although disappointed in parts of the budget, including rates, Cr Cox said “in my 40 years on council, I’ve never not voted for the budget, and tonight will be no different”.
Highlighting that the $300,000 budgeted for site improvement works at 150 Cambridge Road was “nothing like enough”, Cr Cox pointed to the money spent on the Warburton Bike Park, claiming it to be “a lot”.
“We’ve spent a lot of money on it. Much of the use of it will be taken up by people living outside of the municipality and it is time, when (we’re) nearly finished building it…(to) put the money back into generating services for our public and not for other residents,” he said.
Overall, projects in the urban region of the Yarra Ranges did not see any changes between the draft and the finalised budget.
Some major elements include budgeting for the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Edward Road and Paynes Road, Chirnside Park with $737,000 put towards the project this year.
This is in addition to $975,000 for a road renewal project along Edward Road, between Switchback Road and Paynes Road.
$1.2 million has also been cited for road renewal along Cambridge Road Mooroolbark.
Bimbadeen Reserve, Kemp Reserve and Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve have each been budgeted $258,000 for playspace improvements.
The commencement of masterplan works at McDermott Avenue Reserve has seen $350,000 allocated this year and the Lillydale Lake masterplan will also get underway, supported by a State Government grant, and funds from the council’s public open space fund, with an equal value of $1,076,400.
Further drainage projects include Stuart Reserve Lilydale to reduce flooding at Wilson Lane ($300,000), design of Lilydale Tennis Court Upgrade ($80,000), three stage design of Edinburgh Road Lilydale ($50,000), 65 Kerr Crescent Montrose ($140,000) and Wandana Crescent Mooroolbark ($40,000).
Mayor Jim Child put forward the budget for approval, gaining support from seven of the nine councillors.
“I’m confident that this is a financially responsible and sustainable budget which allows us to continue to provide quality infrastructure and essential services to our 165,000 plus community members positively impacting on their daily lives.”
