Stormwater, footpaths, environment to benefit from budget

More than $53 million will be invested back into the community, with a focus on the environment and infrastructure projects, as detailed in the 2022-23 Annual Business Plan. 

City of Holdfast Bay’s Elected Members endorsed the plan and budget at the most recent council meeting.

Major projects of note include:

$3.63 million for the renewal of roads and kerbs, along with an additional $300,000 for the accelerated footpath program to remediate pavements across the city.

$1.4 million for open space and coast renewal, with a broad program of works across our city’s reserves, play spaces and coastline.

The Annual Business Plan has a strong environmental focus, including the recent move to weekly green FOGO bin collections and a $1.2m investment in stormwater infrastructure.

Work will continue on replacing our 2,500 street lights with energy efficient LED lights and $35,000 has been allocated for greening the Brighton/Hove rail corridor.

Repairs and maintenance of community buildings including the Holdfast Bay Bowling Club, Seacliff Youth Centre and Glenelg Town Hall will go ahead with $300,000 allocated for those projects.

Beach accessibility will receive a boost this coming year with the delivery of the Seacliff amenities building and improved beach access and the accessible beach ramp at Glenelg.

This will provide a disability access-compliant ramp onto the beach just north of the jetty.

“Knowing the importance of looking after our people, we will commit over $1 million in 2022–23 towards our community development programs, services and events which aim to promote interaction and minimise social isolation and disadvantage,” Holdfast Bay Mayor Amanda Wilson said.

“This includes home support and our community transport service as well as our community centres, which provide opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to meet, mix and build meaningful connections through sporting, recreational and cultural activities”.

To fund the budget there will be a 3.2% increase to council rates.