Each year we develop a budget, setting out the important capital works, services and programs for the next financial year.

The City of Melton is Australia’s fastest growing municipality. The draft Budget recognises and responds to the opportunities presented by such rapid growth.

The Draft Budget 2024/25 has a strong focus on delivering new community and recreation facilities, upgrading roads, providing valued everyday services, while being mindful of cost-of-living pressures.

Thank you to everyone who submitted feedback. Feedback closed at 5pm on Monday 6 May 2024.

In the upcoming financial year, it is proposed that our Capital Works Budget will total $220.7 million and include roads ($70.7 million); recreational, leisure and community facilities ($61.4 million); footpaths and cycleways ($10.8 million); park upgrades, open space and streetscape improvements ($6.6 million); bridges ($1.7 million); library books ($558,000); and a street tree planting program ($500,000).

Highlights of the 2024/25 Capital Works Program include:

• $17.8 million for Mt Atkinson East Sports Reserve
• $11.8 million to complete the upgrade of Bulmans Road, Melton West
• $7.8 million to complete the signalised intersection at Caroline Springs Boulevard and Rockbank Middle Road, Caroline Springs
• $9.7 million to finalise design and commence early work on the Plumpton Aquatic & Leisure Centre
• $10.6 million for construction of Bridge Road Community Hub
• $14.6 million for Plumpton Children's Centre & Neighbourhood House
• $8.3 million for the Weir Views Children’s and Community Centre
• $6.2 million for the upgrade of Troups Road South, Mount Cottrell (Stage 2)
• $4.5 million to complete the road duplication of Hume Drive, Taylors Hill, between Calder Park Drive and Gourlay Road
• $5.3 million to duplicate Taylors Road, from Gourlay Rd to Westwood Drive, Caroline Springs
• $8.3 million for Aintree Children's and Community Centre
• $3.6 million to upgrade Boundary Road, Mount Cottrell between The Mall and Tarneit Road
• $5.3 million for Cobblebank Community Services Hub
• $5.1 million for MacPherson Park Rugby Facility (Stage 3)
• $3.7 million for Rockbank North Sports Reserve
• $2.2 million for construction of East - West Arterial Road, between Ferris Road and Mount Cottrell Road
• $2.9 million for Caroline Springs Town Centre Oval Redevelopment
• $2.9 million towards construction of a signalised intersection at Taylors Road and Sinclairs Road, Deanside
• $2.9 million Rockbank East Children's and Community Centre
• $1.4 million for the design of a signalised intersection at Hopkins Road and Reed Court, Plumpton
• $1.4 million to upgrade Middle Road, Truganina

In late 2023, we invited community submissions for projects and infrastructure improvements residents want to see in their neighbourhoods. As a result, 10 of those ideas, totalling $584,000, have been included in the Draft Budget, including local park improvements, sports ground facility improvements and support for community activities and events.

Average rates in 2024/25 are proposed to increase by 2.75 per cent, which is in line with the State Government’s rate cap amount for this financial year.

This means an average rate rise of around 94 cents a week for residents. However, more than half of all households across the City will see a smaller increase than that.

A $90 pensioner rebate will be available to eligible property owners, which is a $5 increase on last year.