Our focus for 2020–21 is to provide community leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and for the recovery process that follows, while continuing, as much as possible, to deliver on the projects and services that make our City a great place to live, work and do business.

As part of the Budget, Council has allocated funding of $35.7 million ($522 per property) for projects covering all aspects of community life, including: renewal projects ($15.41 million); recreation and open space ($9.32 million); community facilities ($5.34 million); sustainability ($493,000); community safety ($510,000); business transformation ($1.25 million); and strategic projects ($3.35 million).

Glen Eira Mayor Cr Margaret Esakoff said the Budget is based on a rate increase of 2 per cent, which is in-line with the Fair Go Rates System that has capped rate increases by Victorian councils to the forecast movement in the Consumer Price Index and Wage Price Index.

“This cap applies to the average, per property increase, for all rates in the municipality. It does not apply to individual rate notices. The average rates per assessment for 2020–2021 are estimated at $1,440,” she said.

“Council’s policy is also to levy waste and recycling charges on the basis of cost recovery. This is consistent with the position of the majority of councils given that waste charges are outside the Minister’s rate cap.

“Our proposed Budget reflects an increase in waste and recycling charges due to increased contractor expenses. Waste charges also include a levy that is collected by Council but paid directly to the State Government.”

Residential garbage charges have been set at:

• Large 240 litre waste charge — $512 (including an estimated $54 state levy) ($441 in 2019–20).
• Small 120 litre waste charge — $254 (including an estimated $27 state levy) ($220 in 2019–20).
• Residential flat shared bins (240 litre) waste charge — $254 per assessment (including an estimated $27 state levy) ($220 in 2019–20).
• 240 litre family bin — $340 (including an estimated $54 State Levy) ($292 in 2019–20).
• Medical 240 litre waste charge — $254 (including an estimated $54 State Levy) ($220 in 2019–20).
• Litter management charge — $64 ($60 in 2019–20).
• Additional recycling bin — $44 ($38 in 2019–20).
• Additional green waste bin $39 ($38 in 2019–20).

Cr Esakoff thanked all residents who provided Budget submissions and contributed to the Budget process during our online information session.

“Following the consideration of public submissions and comments and Council’s decision on 5 May to declare a climate emergency and commitment to new carbon emission reduction targets, Council included additional funding of $150,000 in the 2020–2021 Draft Annual Budget for climate emergency initiatives,” she said.