By Susan Laukens, Friberg Ward
Council delivers many more services then just roads and rubbish, and the budget for 2023-2024 reflects this. Council has not been immune to the pressure of doing business in the current economic environment, however. Council has sort to balance the many demands for our services and infrastructure using sound financial management principles.
Consultation on this budget occurred at the start of the process with many local organizations and residents letting us know what was important. I am proud that the $100 pensioner rebate in relation to rates and charges has continued for all eligible recipients.
Some great wins for Friberg Ward with regards to Capital works with investment in track upgrades at the Knox BMX Track, FTG. Gilbert Park Reserve wetlands to compliment the recently completed change rooms, pavilion upgrade and new batting cage.
We will also see several long awaited car park upgrades at Knox Skate and BMX park, Carrington Park and Knox Park Reserve, all which residents have spoken to me about. Windermere Reserve will receive cricket net renewal, and floodlighting to also compliment the recent oval renewal.
All this is certainly not a complete list of all the works happening in the ward. Please continue to reach out to let me know what matters to you.
The link to the Annual Budget 2023-24 is https://www.knox.vic.gov.au/our-council/about-council/annual-budget
More good news
There was more good news in the 2023-24 State Budget than mentioned in the June edition of Gully News. For a start, there was further investment in early childhood reform across Victoria.
Currently, all three and four year old children are eligible to access up to 15 hours of funded kindergarten per week. Throughout the next decade, four year old kinder will transition to ‘pre-prep’, which will provide a universal 30 hour a week program of play-based learning for every four year old child in Victoria.
Works are now underway at the intersection of McMahons Road and Burwood Highway in Ferntree Gully. Over the course of construction there will be lane closures, speed reductions and changes to access, and it’s important to keep everyone safe by slowing down. A little pain for a key gain, it was important to secure funding to get this problematic intersection fixed once and for all.
Other local wins in the State Budget include:
- Charging stations across the Dandenong Ranges
- $200,000 for Treasuring our Trees
- $60,000 for Philanthropic Collective
- $50,000 for 3MDR Mountain District Radio 97.1
- $50,000 for Foothills Community Care
- $5,000 for Ferntree Gully Junior Football Club
Please contact your local MP for more details and do complete their surveys, so they can better understand your concerns and priorities for our great community.
Also, don’t forget to claim your $250 Power Saving Bonus before the end of August.
