Waste collection, day care and parking fees are set to increase as Geelong’s council spends $128 million on capital works to accommodate the city’s growth.
The waste service charge will rise to $316.90 in 2018-19, up $38.85 on 2017-18, including a new hard rubbish collection in 2019 at $6.80 per property.
“Residents will be pleased to see the hard-rubbish collection that so many have requested will commence on a trial basis,” Geelong Mayor Bruce Harwood said.
China’s national policy and the ensuing global recycling crisis had caused City Hall to increase the waste charge, he added.
City Hall’s 2018-19 Budget includes a $104.2m capital works program with $17.7m for roads, $8.7m for bike and foot paths and $10.4m for recreational upgrades.
Council will upgrade several local sporting clubs with female and unisex facilities through the program.
The program includes another $48m of capital works carried over from 2017-18, $24m of which City Hall forecast would carry over into 2019-20.
Council will loan $42m in 2018-19, including $27.1m in deferred loans from 2016-17 and $14.9m new borrowings.
City Hall will repay $9.7m in loans in 2018-19, meaning a total projected debt of $80.6m for June 2019
On-street parking will increase to $2.90 per hour, while the cost of reclaiming a pet at the pound will decrease by $20.
Day care costs will rise by $33, with the highest rises of $39 at centres in Whittington and Corio.
Residential rates will rise by 2.25 per cent to an average of $1570.
Council allocated $3m for landscaping around Geelong’s future convention centre and $3.4m for additional lighting and security cameras in the city’s centre.
