Preston 16 May 2023(TIE)Melbourne residents will fork out millions more in rates and user fees as the council hikes up charges to fund landmark infrastructure projects and increase revenue.
The City of Melbourne announced its $850.7m draft budget on Tuesday, which will see it collect an extra $30.1m in rates and charges next financial year.
General rates will increase by 3.5 per cent – drawing in a projected $314.6m for the council, while public waste charges will go up by 21.8 per cent, costing residents and businesses a combined $10m.
The council temporarily paused rate rises during the pandemic “to support residents and businesses”, costing it $17m.
The council will “modestly” increase more than 60 per cent of its fees and charges, drawing in $134m next financial year.
With new Sunday and after hours parking charges expected to be enforced from July, the council hopes to rake in more $50m in parking fees and nearly $40m in parking fines.