Our 2023–24 Budget focuses on investing in high-quality, sustainable and inclusive community services and facilities.
This includes:
- $20.46 million over 3 years for the Kew Library redevelopment, which is due to be completed in 2025–26
- $431,329 for the Glenferrie Oval precinct, which will include demolishing the Ferguson Stand and creating new public open space
- $27.45 million over 4 years to upgrade the Michael Tuck Stand, which is due to be completed in 2026–27
- $8.13 million for several sportsground pavilion renewals at Willsmere Park, Canterbury Sportsground, Lynden Park and Ferndale Park.
Investments into preserving and increasing green space
We are investing in our sportsgrounds, which includes:
- $2.11 million for ground reconstructions
- $1 million for the playing surface at Dorothy Laver West Reserve
- $2.09 million for the redevelopment of Ferndale Park Pavilion.
We understand there is limited open space in our community for recreation. We will invest $800,000 each year into our Open Space Acquisition Fund, which allows us to purchase additional open space when there is an opportunity.
Investments into sustainability
We have committed $1 million to continue delivering a range of initiatives to reduce Council's emissions and meet other climate-related targets in our Climate Action Plan.
We are also investing:
- $230,000 to continue our Biodiversity Strategy to expand and maintain our significant biodiversity sites
- $255,000 to continue reducing waste sent to landfill by expanding our FOGO service to commercial and food businesses
- $275,000 to install solar lights along paths in parks and other outdoor community spaces.
Investments into maintaining our infrastructure
We will invest:
- $5.2 million for drainage renewal
- $2.4 million for footpath and cycleway renewal
- $13.8 million for road renewal
- $10.5 million for 7 other community building renewal works and minor works across many other properties we manage.
Investments into services
We will invest:
- $10.3 million to provide library services 7 days a week
- $9.4 million on health and wellbeing services, including immunisation, youth and recreation services
- $20.9 million for parks and gardens, biodiversity and street trees maintenance
- $3.7 million on arts and cultural services and events
- $12.7 million for planning, development and building controls
- $12.4 million for maintenance of the city’s infrastructure, including buildings, drainage, footpaths, roads and shopping centres.
We will support a program of health and wellbeing activities for those with disproportionately poorer health outcomes, such as LGBTQIA+ communities, young people and others experiencing social isolation and loneliness. This will include bi-annual community roundtables to hear the voices of LGBTQIA+ communities, and to plan and Introduction 3 deliver practical outcomes to support inclusion through programs, projects and activities, $90,000 has been allocated.