The City of Casey has adopted its Council Plan 2021-25 – Year 4 Review and Budget 2024/25 which set out our priorities and projects for the year ahead in line with our community’s feedback.
Following a three-week public exhibition period of the draft documents, Council adopted the following strategic documents at a Special Council Meeting on Monday 24 June:
- The Budget Report, which includes the Budget 2024/25 and Capital Works Program 2024/25
- Council Plan 2021-25 – Year 4 Review
- Annual Action Plan 2024/25
- Financial Plan 2024/25 – 2033/34
- Schedule of Fees and Charges 2024/25
City of Casey Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff PSM said this year’s budget totals $560.8 million, including a $460.1 million operational budget, which supports the delivery of crucial services including kindergartens, maternal and child health, waste management and infrastructure maintenance.
“The budget also includes a $100.6 million Capital Works Program (CWP) to deliver much-needed infrastructure and upgrades throughout the City of Casey,” Ms Duff said.
“As part of the CWP, we have allocated approximately $11 million towards our road resurfacing and rehabilitation programs.
“Our Capital Delivery and Maintenance teams have proactively identified areas where asset renewal is most required, resulting in an increase in projects from 37 in 2023/24 to 72 in 2024/25.”
This year, Council is working within tight budget parameters due to economic pressures and rising costs being experienced by our community and the organisation. This is made more challenging by the 2.75 per cent State Government rate cap, which Council has endorsed.
Ms Duff said in 2024/25, the City of Casey’s waste charge will increase by 3.29 per cent for households across the municipality who have a 120-litre garbage bin, with recycling and food and organics (FOGO) bins.
“There has also been a significant increase in the Fire Services Property Levy. The increase, which is set by the State Government, was announced as part of the 2024/25 State Budget on 7 May 2024,” she said.
“These charges, which will vary from property to property, are reflected on residents’ rates notice as we are responsible for its collection and remittance back to the State Government to assist in funding fire emergency services.”
Since the draft version of our budget was released to the community, there have been some changes.
“Following a further analysis of construction industry conditions, there have been some changes made to the Capital Works Program. Six projects have been rephased, meaning the timing for delivery has moved. Design for some projects will commence this year, with delivery scheduled for the following year,” Ms Duff said.
“Three new projects have also been included as a priority for delivery. These are the construction of a dog friendly space at Sweeney Reserve, the upgrade of the Edwin Flack Reserve Athletics Pavilion, and the relocation of the Casey North Community Information and Support Service to the Casey Youth Hub building in Webb Street, Narre Warren.”
There are also a number community-focused projects to be delivered in 2024/25, including:
- Multicultural Water Safety Program: in response to the recent drownings of Casey residents, this program has been created to provide Casey’s multicultural community access to water safety education, and connect them with our local community facilities and neighbouring beach locations.
- Sport4All program: this program will educate and guide local sport clubs to be inclusive and welcoming for those people that identify as having a disability.
- Maternal and Child Health Nurse Scholarship program: this will support nurses to undertake MCH nurse training and then work in Council’s MCH service to address workforce challenges.
- Hosting a Youth Summit: the summit will aim to engage with young people and secondary schools to explore current local issues and local peer connections.
