Capital Works – How Council decides its funding priorities  

Have you ever wondered how Council decides what projects it funds in our community? From footpaths to playgrounds, waste management to street upgrades – Council undergoes a process for determining what projects are approved and funded in any given year. 

Democracy is important and is best understood when decision-making is transparently explained. Let’s lift the lid on how capital works funding decisions are made, from the perspective of a Councillor who is at the table.

The first step is always to look at our budget. Unfortunately, finances are always finite, and Council must approach its budget in a sustainable manner. This means balancing new investments in capital works with ongoing operational costs. We must engage in responsible fiscal management on behalf of our community, ensuring Council remains on the strong financial footing where it currently resides.

To this end, it is important to understand what Council is responsible for. In total, Council oversees 10,971 rateable properties, 38 playgrounds and fitness stations, a waste management system, including 2 waste facilities, 822 kilometers of road networks, sports grounds and venues that boast an annual attendance rate of 110,000 people, 59 parks and reserves, 7 bike and skate parks, and 12 public halls.

In 2024/25, Council’s operating revenue totaled $29.4 million. Our operating expenditure totaled $28.9 million, of which capital expenditure totaled $16.9 million.

So, how do we decide which capital works projects are funded and which are not? It starts with the collation of capital works proposals. The proposals are submitted by staff who notice areas where work is required, Councillors who wish to pursue projects on behalf of the community, and community members who raise areas of investment they’d like prioritised. 

Then, the Draft Budget is presented to Councillors and ratified at a Council meeting. The Capital Works Budget is approved by Councillors. It is up to us to decide and finalise what is included in the Budget, and how much money is spent on it. The Capital Works Budget is typically finalised and endorsed in the second quarter of each year.

Since being elected to Council, there are several capital works priorities that I have championed on behalf of our community and succeeded in seeing them included in our program. This includes the dump point at Westbury, footpaths in Blackstone Heights, and upgrades to the Mole Creek Memorial Hall, just to name a few.

Is there an investment you’d like to see made in our community? Our Capital Works Budget works best when the community is involved. I often take Capital Works requests from our community to Council, championing their inclusion in our program. If there is anything you would like to see where you live, please reach out to me. You never know, your idea to make our community better could be our next project in the Meander Valley.

*This article is the personal viewpoint of Cr Ben Dudman and is not an official statement of Meander Valley Council.

Councillor Ben Dudman

Posts by Councillor Ben Dudman