Manningham Leader: Manningham Council chief executive Joe Carbone says public transport, pensioners, roads need state and federal money. Anna Chisholm. 28 April 2014
Manningham Council chief executive Joe Carbone says state and federal government money is integral to many significant community projects. Picture: Stuart Milligan. Source: News Limited
Public transport, roads and a better rates deal for pensioners top Manningham Council’s wish list for next month’s state and federal budgets.
Manningham Council chief executive Joe Carbone said both levels of government needed to provide money for long-term projects which would have significant benefit to the community.
Mr Carbone said public transport projects such as Doncaster Rail, a Doncaster Hill bus grade separation and improvement to bus services needed state and/or federal funding to go ahead.
He said the council would also like the State Government to increase its pension rate rebate to 50 per cent.
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Heide Ward councillor Geoff Gough said the council was facing demand for sporting projects worth $80 million, but less state and federal cash was available.
“When money tightens up, it’s harder to do things, especially capital works,” Cr Gough said.
“We often rely on grants to match funds and they are drying up.”
Koonung Ward councillor Stephen O’Brien said state and federal government grants should be directed at healthy eating programs for preschool children, as well as programs targeting hoons, the disadvantaged and aged care groups.
“We don’t have a rail so I’d like to see us develop a more integrated bus service network,” Cr O’Brien said.
“We have advocated very strongly with Public Transport Victoria and we need to apply pressure as a council to State Government to consider alternative routes.”
Mullum Mullum Ward councillor Paul McLeish said planned cycling facilities and paths should go ahead.
Manningham Council’s wish list
■ Rail link to Doncaster
■ Grade separation for Doncaster Hill
■ Improvement to bus services
■ Road upgrades to Main Roads (eg King Street)
■ Grant escalation to reflect cost of services to Council
■ Establishing a Principle Pedestrian Network
■ Completion of the linking trails and the bicycle network
■ Improve commuting and recreation opportunities
■ Increase the State Government pension rebate to 50 per cent of the rate bill
■ VicRoads to clean up graffiti on the Eastern freeway
