2018-19 Budget – another record capital works spend

Friday, 29 June 2018

Inner West Council adopted the 2018-19 Operational Plan and Budget on Tuesday night.

The Budget is based on fiscal prudence, transparency and accountability, and focused on modernising and harmonising services and maintaining and renewing infrastructure.

“We are protecting everything that was good about Ashfield, Marrickville and Leichhardt councils,” said Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne.

“But we are also raising the bar, making Council more professional and more accountable to the local community,” he said.

Council will also deliver an estimated four per cent ($5-7 million) in savings, driving efficiency and saving ratepayers’ money.

Some of the infrastructure and service improvement highlights are:

• $31 million for a new state-of-the-art aquatic centre in Ashfield
• $65 million for parks, sporting fields and recreation facilities over the next three years
• $85 million over four years for roads, footpaths, stormwater drains
• $23 million to complete the GreenWay pedestrian and cycle and biodiversity corridor
• $600,000 to create our own Inner West alternative to Vivid that brings the people into existing Inner West arts-based businesses
• A new rebate (approximately $400) on waste charges for pensioners in Ashfield and Marrickville (bringing it into line with the former Leichhardt Council’s policy)
• Turning the parking meters off at night in Balmain, Rozelle and Leichhardt, and reducing parking fees by $660,000

On Tuesday night, Marrickville Ward Councillors Sam Iskandar and Victor Macri successfully requested adding upgrade planning and scoping works for Alex Trevallion Plaza to the Budget, to be funded by developer contributions.

“Alex Trevallion Plaza is an important urban square in the very heart of the Marrickville commercial district, but it’s in desperate need of some tender loving care,” said Councillor Iskandar.

Councillor Macri said an upgrade of the plaza is well and truly overdue. “What I want is to make the Plaza a benchmark for all Inner West open urban spaces. We need to open it up, make it inviting, attractive and friendly.

“I want us to use water sensitive urban design (WSUD), plant appropriate trees, and make this an oasis in the middle of Marrickville,” Councillor Macri said.

“I want to thank my fellow Councillors for agreeing with our amendment to commence scoping works, and to upgrade in the 2019-20 financial year,” said Councillor Iskandar.

Other big infrastructure spends in the 2018-19 Operational Plan and Budget include:

• Petersham Park grandstand upgrade
  $700,000
  Including improved accessibility and new accessible toilet
• Waterfront Drive upgrade
  $1.38 million
  Refurbishment of sporting grounds and installation of cricket nets
• Ashfield Park lighting upgrade
  $590,000
  Improved pedestrian lighting
• Dawn Fraser Pool upgrade
  $2.08 million
  Upgrade of southern pavilion and restoration works
• Haberfield Library upgrade
  $840,000
  Accessibility improvements, roof replacement, internal refurbishment and replacement of air conditioning
• Leichhardt Town Hall renewal
  1.13 million
  Reinstating the original colour scheme and restoration of original windows
• Petersham Town Hall upgrade
  $1.05 million
  Access upgrade
• Chester Street footbridge replacement
  $450,000
  Replacement of the footbridge and relocation of the BBQ and basketball court
• Booth Street bridge widening
  840,000
  Design and construction of the widening of the bridge in Annandale (in partnership with City of Sydney)
• Ashfield Town Centre
  $7 million
  Completion of the upgrade and commencement of the Gateway Treatment near Thomas Street, Cavill Avenue and Miller Street

For an interview on the 2018-19 Budget, or print quality image of Councillors Iskandar and Macri in Alex Trevallion Plaza, contact the Communication team.