Council boosts capital budget

COMMUNITY groups now have a better chance of securing vital facility improvements after the council voted to increase its minor capital works budget.
Councillors at last week’s council meeting agreed to extend the budget from $30,000 to $50,000, paving the way for the funding of larger community upgrades.
The funding hike is the first to the minor capital works budget in five years and will allow for the inclusion of projects that currently don’t fit under the funding limit, such as small building extensions, renovations, lighting projects and car park extensions.
Balla Balla Ward councillor Colin Butler encouraged all councillors to make the most of the extra money and refer more items to minor capital works.
“Minor capital works serves a great purpose and this year it is only going to be greater,” he said.
“This funding increase should free up quite a few projects falling in the capital works program and allow a lot more groups to get the facilities they want.”
Mayfield Ward councillor Steve Beardon agreed, claiming the extra $20,000 was ‘well and truly needed’.
“Any extra money we can find for maintenance projects is absolutely needed,” he said.