Capital works projects worth $58M will be delivered to the Albury community, after councillors approved AlburyCity’s 2019-20 budget.
Among those projects will be the next stages of work to revolutionise Albury’s riverside precinct, major upgrades to roads and footpaths, and significant sporting, environmental and cultural works across the city.
The budget – which has been endorsed following an extensive public consultation process - funds 2,800 expenditure items with a rates rise of 2.7 per cent – or about 60 cents extra a week for the average home.
There will be no increase to water, sewerage or kerbside waste collection charges, while rates on business properties will rise by 2.2 per cent on average.
AlburyCity Mayor Kevin Mack said the budget would provide a wide range of benefits to the community.
"Some of the projects we’re delivering will include an extension of the Wagirra Trail, improvements to roads and transport in Thurgoona and Lavington, and the redevelopment of parks and sporting facilities across the city," he said.
“A key focus will be our continuing works on the Murray River Experience projects that will ultimately include a jetty, boardwalk and other facilities at the riverside precinct behind the Albury Swim Centre.”
Other key items include:
- $15.4M on improvements to our roads and footpaths
- $16.4M on water and sewerage, including the replacement of water mains across the city and the extension of the mains to Table Top
- $2.2M for improvements at the Albury Waste Management Centre
- More than $1M on upgrades of the Albury Entertainment Centre, including designs for an expansion of the convention wing and a new roof
- $625,000 on improvements at the airport
- And, $1M to continue the citywide rollout of LED street lighting
Major investments in sports and community facilities will include:
- $6.75M for the ongoing redevelopment of Lavington Sports Ground
- $340,000 for terraced seating at the Les O'Brien Athletics Precinct
- $250,000 for planning of stage 1 upgrades at the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre
- And, $180,000 on detailed design for the Albury Regional Skate Park
AlburyCity General Manager Frank Zaknich thanked the community for providing feedback on the budget during the public exhibition phase.
Council received and responded to six submissions, which contained questions about financing, resource levels and community assets.
“This was a budget guided and developed by the community’s expectations as part of Albury 2030 – the community-driven vision for the city’s long-term social, economic and environmental future," Mr Zaknich said.
“We’re excited to be working on delivering on those expectations and we look forward to providing some fantastic services and infrastructure that will make Albury an even better place to live, work and invest.”
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