Following an active citizen engagement program, Maitland councillors have agreed to adopt the revised five-year Delivery Program and incorporate the 2017/18 Operational Plan at Tuesday's Ordinary Council Meeting.
At the largest budget to date, Maitland City Council will focus the $148 million on completing various initiatives and developing major infrastructure projects, including a new Community Centre for Gillieston Heights.
Maitland Mayor Peter Blackmore says the growth in population and rateable income in the Maitland area have largely funded the movement.
"We have been working on rate increase; we were rewarded the 7 percent for seven years and are in the third year of that now. The increased funds that have come in really enabled us to carry out these projects."
Some of the plan's other major projects will include the completed construction of The Riverlink Building, commenced construction of the Maitland Regional Sportground Complex, Stage 2 of the Levee Development and various crime prevention strategies.
"We will have the benefit of being able to see the crime statistics, raising with the police any issues we've found in the community and asking for their assistance," said Councillor Blackmore.
In the next financial year, Maitland Council will maintain a tight focus on business and completion of numerous initiatives, spending close to $13 million on road reconstruction and resurfacing.
The plan and program include all fees, charges, rates and the capital works program alongside the annual budget, which is $6 million more than the last financial year.
The proposed spendings for the next financial year are now up for public comment, and Hunter residents are being encouraged to provide feedback in the comment section of the 'maitland-your-say' website:
http://www.maitlandyoursay.com.au/
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