Docklands continues to fund council

The City of Melbourne plans to return only 75 per cent of the revenue it earns from Docklands next financial year.

Like this year, Docklands will again contribute nearly $6 million underlying surplus to the council in the 2011-12 year.

Docklanders will pay the council $16.5 million in rates and a further $2.6 million in fees and charges.

In return, the council will give back $436,000 worth of maintenance, $1.8 million worth of staff salaries and $6.8 million in materials and services.  Also charged against Docklands’ income stream is $3.7 million worth of depreciation and amortisation as well as $739,275 worth of insurance and finance costs.

While claiming an overall rate increase of only 1.65 per cent, the council is actually budgeting to raise 4.56 per cent more rate revenue than last year – and will be issuing rates notices for almost $200 million (up from $190 million last year).

But the council’s greatest revenue raising strategy is to raise the amount it collects in fees and charges – up by 7.64 per cent – resulting in a total of $108 million.

The City of Melbourne spends 33 per cent of its money on staff wages.  Next year, the staff wages bill is up 7 per cent to $113 million.

In terms of specific Docklands’ spending, the council’s proposed budget reveals:

$1 million for Docklands’ library;

$1.04 million ($500,000 capital and $540,000 operational) to implement activities coming out of the “Second Decade” consultation process, specifically:

    •    Commence the delivery of actions as identified in the D2 vision for Year 1;

    •    Document and commence construction of works as outlined in the D2 plan; and

    •    Participate in development of a transport and mobility plan for Docklands.

$160,00 for additional weekly pressure cleans in the NewQuay area;

$111,000 for repairs on The Hub community centre;

$70,000 to refurbish Docklands’ Christmas decorations;

$75,000 to install and remove the Christmas decorations;

$250,000 to maintain public lighting; and

$100,000 for new signs in Docklands’ waterways.

The proposed budget is open for consultation until June 10 and will be considered for endorsement by the council on June 28.