Foreword from the Mayor - Annual Report

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Foreword from Mayor Tom Morrissey

I am pleased to report that 2006/07 has been another eventful and successful year for Monash City Council, with significant progress on a number of major projects and initiatives.

Council continued its distinction of having one of the lowest average rates of metropolitan Melbourne, while maintaining strong community satisfaction levels and undertaking a major capital works program.

The capital works program was boosted by $9.1 million to $30.9 million in 2006/07, with the Clayton Community Centre and increases to roads, drainage and building works being major features.

The new $24.2 million Clayton Community Centre, which is due to be completed early in 2008, has been designed to be an important community hub and a major civic focus for the area. It is Council's largest ever capital project and a unique partnership between local government and the State, with the State Government contributing $8.1 million, including $6.6 million for the MonashLink Community Health Service to operate from the centre.

Funding was also provided for the refurbishment of the aquatic facilities at the Oakleigh Recreation Centre. In June 2007, Council committed $6 million to the project after an extensive community consultation process showed a clear direction for the redevelopment. More than 900 people participated in the community consultation process, with a large majority of them indicating their preference for a heated 50 metre pool, a toddlers pool, a diving pool, new change rooms and retention of landscaped open space.

The Oakleigh Recreation Centre Redevelopment Steering Committee also recommended adding a new outdoor spa, improved kiosk and water conservation and recovery systems. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $7 million. Council will apply to the State Government through the Better Pools funding program to supplement the funding shortfall. Council's contribution will be funded through cash reserves and land sales.

When I used my casting vote as Mayor in March 2002 to pass a resolution to keep both Oakleigh and Clayton pools open and to invest in their long-term future, I was confident that Council would engineer a good outcome for both facilities. The Clayton Community Centre, which incorporates the Clayton pool, will become a showpiece for this city, and now we also have an excellent outcome for Oakleigh pool.

To enable Council to carry out its Budget program, rate revenue was increased by 8.95%. Fees and charges rose by an average of 2%. While the rate increase was higher than originally forecast, Council felt the increase was necessary to cope with increased external costs, a reduction in government grants and the need to deliver improvements in services and facilities.

Other highlights of 2006/07 included:

$5.4 million for roads and footpaths (an increase of $278,000)
$1.6 million for strategic drainage (an increase of $915,000)
$1.75 million for the Wellington Reserve Community Centre
$1.5 million for the resolution of car parking in Oakleigh District Centre
$858,000 to upgrade the library book collection
$600,000 for sports pavilion upgrades
$565,000 to improve retail strips and district centres
$475,000 to extend the small business incubator, the Monash Enterprise Centre
$350,000 to relocate the Halcyon Adult Day Care Centre
$260,000 to continue the Equitable Access program

I would like to thank Cr Joy Banerji for her work as Mayor for the first half of the financial year and for the support I have received from all of the City's Councillors.

Tom Morrissey
Mayor

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Published: 22 November 2007

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Foreword from Mayor Tom Morrissey

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