By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
IMPROVED roads and public transport services are among the top items on Greater Dandenong Council’s wish-list ahead of tomorrow’s state budget.
Chief executive John Bennie said increasing capacity on the Dandenong rail corridor, funding for the Dingley bypass and improved bus services to Dandenong and Keysborough South were priorities. He also listed continued funding for CCTV, public toilets, landscaping and lighting.
Funding for the teen-boys program Gain Respect and Increase Personal Power should also be extended, Mr Bennie said.
He said the program, which works with boys 13-17 who committed violent crimes, had a higher rate of success than youth supervision programs. Last week’s pre-budget announcements were a mixed bag for the council.
On the one hand, it welcomed the start of a rail underpass eliminating Springvale level crossing.
The government also re-announced the fire services property levy from July 1, which has a fixed charge of $100 for households plus further charges based on the property value.
Against municipal councils’ wishes, the levy will be collected on council rates notices. Corporate services director Mick Jaensch told the Journal this year that the council had “expressed its disappointment” that councils would be the collection agency for the state levy. The levy replaces an insurance-based fire services levy.
Treasurer Michael O’Brien said it was fairer all property owners should contribute to keeping fire services going, not just those adequately insured. He said the average household’s contribution in a CFA area would reduce from $262 in 2011-12 to $142 in 2013-14.
Sports Minister Hugh Delahunty refuted opposition claims that the government was set to abandon Community Support Fund funding for sports facilities such as the badly-drained Warner Reserve in Springvale South.
■ Local MPs Inga Peulich, Gordon Rich-Phillips, Martin Pakula and John Pandazopoulos were asked for their state budget wish-lists. None of their spokespeople responded by deadline.
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