By Nicole Williams
GREATER Dandenong council has committed $6.58 million in its draft budget to renew ageing infrastructure.
The draft budget for 2011/2012 was approved at the council meeting on Monday night and it highlighted infrastructure as a key priority for the year.
“In our particular case the challenge is beginning to become urgent as much of our key infrastructure was built in the 1960s and ’70s and is beginning to reach the end of their useful lives,” the budget said.
Greater Dandenong mayor Roz Blades said it was possibly the most significant item in the budget.
“That is something that residents expect – that the road infrastructure is maintained,” she said.
The budget also noted that the council was committed to maintaining or improving services in the areas of parks, roads and drainage maintenance.
Footpaths on Mark Anthony Drive and the intersection of Bennet Street/Railway Parade and Jones Road were two examples of ageing infrastructure given by City of Greater Dandenong corporate service director Mick Jaensch.
Drainage maintenance had also been an area of concern since the deluge in February, Cr Blades said.
Mr Jaensch said the council had greatly increased its allocation for asset renewal since 2005.
In 2005/2006, the council allocated just $477,000 for asset renewal.
“These are things that happen every year but probably go unnoticed,” Mr Jaensch said.
The $6.58 million includes $5.25 million for road resurfacing and rehabilitation, $800,000 for footpath renewal, $300,000 for kerb and channel renewal and $100,000 for road reconstruction.
The allocation for bridge renewal was the only work type to decrease, from $220,000 in 2010/2011 to $132,000.
The draft budget also included a rates increase of 5.5 per cent for all residents, $9.2 million toward a new municipal building, $3 million for the Noble Park Pool upgrade, a capital works budget of $69.7 million and $300,000 for Herbert Street works.
The draft budget will be available for public inspection and comment at the council offices and online for four weeks.
The council will consider any submissions received and will finalise the budget at its council meeting on 27 June.
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