Best foot forward

By Danielle Galvin
A HANDFUL of shire residents have weighed into the council’s draft budget.
Last week, a special council meeting was held on Tuesday night to hear from residents who had submitted a response to the draft.
Gloria O’Connor, president of the Cardinia Ratepayers and Residents Association, weighed into the draft budget submitting a response from the group and reading out a verbal submission.
“This budget has a small percentage of allocated funding to commence some long awaited and hard fought for projects for certain locations in the community,” she said.
“However, high priority is directed to new growth corridor sports facilities and recreation ovals while residents in some rural towns have to walk along the edge of busy roads to reach schools, kindergartens, community facilities and other daily needs.
“The obvious disparity in funding for urgently needed walking paths in comparison with major project recreation and sports ovals clearly needs attention.”
Ms O’Connor said the budget document was easier to read this year but said it lacked detail in some areas.
But council spokesman Paul Dunlop said the 2012-2013 budget provided a range of services, upgrades, initiatives and improvements to the townships throughout the shire.
He said the budget seeks to ensure to roads, drains and other infrastructure are maintained and improved, as well as delivering essential council services in the shire.
“With such a large and diverse municipality, council is very mindful when framing its budget to ensure the needs and expectations of all residents are taken into account, not just some,” he said.
“Every dollar is allocated according to priority and no single area receives special treatment.”
Mr Dunlop said the shire was one of Australia’s fastest growing municipalities.
“Council has a responsibility to provide infrastructure and services for the growing population,” he said.
“Doing nothing is not an option; it is vital we plan ahead and work to meet the needs of our residents not just now but into the future.”
Graham Jolly from Upper Beaconsfield said that the budget must change direction.
“Accepting debt is totally rejected by me, a ratepayer and taxpayer,” he said in his submission.
“To make debt the norm as a matter of fact is not acceptable. To have rate increases targeted well above the MAV released percentage figures must not be allowed to continue.
“For the current councillors to end their term in office with the state of the council’s finances will be very disappointing for the newly elected councillors in October 2012.”
Mr Dunlop said that the council would provide a detailed response in writing to the residents who made submissions to the budget to thank them for their feedback and to address the specific issues raised.