The draft 2024–25 budget is set to enhance Kingston’s standing as a thriving city, with a focus on building a robust, interconnected community, complete with top-tier facilities, first-rate infrastructure, and comprehensive support.

The community’s ideas and aspirations for the city are highly valued, and many individuals have contributed to the budget process via the Talking Kingston platform, including at a Special Council Meeting in February.

Mayor Jenna Davey-Burns said this has enabled us to present our most collaborative budget yet.

“Ideas from our community will always make us more adaptive, innovative, connected, and resilient, and we can’t wait to put what we’ve heard into practice over the next year and beyond,” Davey-Burns said.

“We heard that you would like your rates invested in playgrounds and parks, new cycling and walking paths, shopping strip upgrades, and facilitating stronger community connections—plus so much more. This budget reflects that, with dozens of local projects on the agenda.

“Any responsible budget must also ensure the necessary funding is available to provide vital community services, including kerbside rubbish collections, our state-leading aged-care services, and innovative libraries and youth services, while maintaining our existing community assets and delivering the new facilities and programmes that are needed.

“These are very challenging economic times for so many across our city, and we are working hard to ensure your rates are being invested efficiently and effectively while still meeting all the needs of our community.”

Importantly, in the current economic climate, particularly the challenges of inflation and the Victorian Government’s rate-capping legislation, this budget, which projects an $8.2 million surplus, again delivers on our commitment to responsible, prudent, and sustainable financial management.

The highlights of a $85.7 million capital works program include:

•  $35.0 million for the new aquatic and leisure centre
•  $18.4 million for community and sporting facilities
• $14.3 million for roads, drains, footpaths, and bike paths
•  $8.6 million for parks and reserves
• $7.7 million for playgrounds and active recreation

The mayor said the budget has positioned the council very well to engage positively with the other levels of government too.

“Importantly, the transparent and consultative process we followed has put us in a very strong position to advocate to the state and federal governments around important current issues,” Cr Davey-Burns said.

“These include building climate resilience, supporting refugees and migrants, domestic violence, and women’s health; the direction of major projects like the Suburban Rail Loop and level crossing removals; and to pursue funding for projects like our exciting new aquatic and leisure centre, flood mitigation, and major road upgrades.”

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