construction program, we now look to the upgrade and renewal of existing assets to ensure their continued value to the local community. We won't be embarking on any further multi-million dollar projects in the next few years.

Growth places significant cost pressures on the Council. Each year we can expect to see 1500 new houses completed. And this growth is expected to continue for at least ten years with some 30,000 people to settle in the growth corridor.

Every year we take on responsibility for a further 13 kilometres of new sealed roads, 23 kilometres of kerb and channel, 16 kilometres of footpath, new playgrounds, parks and reserves, street trees and street light poles.

This year road infrastructure will remain our number one budget item as we commit to resealing our rural and residential roads to maintain and strengthen existing assets. We will also begin a new program for footpaths, with $1 million to be spent on new pavements and the upgrade of existing pavements across the Shire. We will continue the bridge maintenance and repair program with $300,000 allocated over the next year.

The playground replacement program ensuring the safety of Cardinia's youth will continue with $100,000 for new and replacement playgrounds.

One major feature that I am particularly pleased to announce is the decision to reduce the municipal charge to $50 per household.

We are also pleased to have been able to reduce Council's debt by $6 million and will work towards further reductions over the next five years.

And we will do this with a rate rise of 7 percent.

Our main focus for 2006-07 will be on asset management and maintenance and not on 'landmark' projects, with all our communities expected to benefit from renewal and upgrades to roads, bridges, community buildings and facilities.

We will provide $1.4 million to maintain our existing parks and gardens and a further $53,000 for the one thousand hectares of bushland and roadside reserves in our Shire.

We will continue to deliver quality family and community services across the Shire and will make every effort to provide these where they are needed most. To this end we have invested $1.1 million in the new Lakeside Children's Service and will increase spending in maternal and child health to over $725,000 per year.

We are fortunate to have a vibrant and active community of volunteers and we will strive to support these volunteers and community groups with an active grants program amounting to over $1.2 million.

With this 2006-07 budget we focus on the importance of maintaining and renewing what we already have and by doing so we are investing in the future of Cardinia for all.

COMMENTS ON THE BUDGET, 2006-07
Ed Chatwin, Councillor, Ranges Ward

By the time this newsletter is with you, the budget will be approved for the coming year. There is no big-ticket expenditure, such as a cultural centre, new swimming pool or shire offices, each of which would have taken capital funds in excess of $10 million. The municipal charge has been reduced to $50. Last year's budget debt level of $49.028 million is reduced to $42.6 million.

Removal of the full municipal charge in one