Revision and Update of Frankston City Council's Contributory Schemes Policy

Council recently endorsed the Draft Contributory Schemes Policy and, as part of its consultation phase, is now seeking the views of the community on the draft policy prior to final adoption.

This Policy is intended as a guide for creating and implementing contributory projects by special rates and charges under the Local Government Act 1989 and also as a guide for the equitable distribution of costs between Council and property owners obtaining a special benefit.

The Local Government Act 1989 gives Councils power to raise funds, effectively manage their assets and defray cost in relation to activities or works, which are of special benefit to part of the municipality, by the equitable imposition of special rates and charges. The special rates or charges can be used to recover costs of Council performing a function or providing services. This includes community facilities, studies/strategies, promotional marketing, purchase of properties and car parking, as well as road and drainage construction. The main focus of this policy is construction of unsealed roads.

Council presently has 68 unsealed roads totalling approximately 32 km in the municipality. Included in the Contributory Schemes Policy is a priority list developed to assist in implementing schemes for unconstructed roads. The priority list takes into account factors including road hierarchy, condition, traffic frequency, resident requests/complaints, safety and maintenance. This list has been updated in the draft Contributory Schemes Policy to reflect the latest pavement conditions, resident requests and maintenance practices. The priority list is Appendix 3 of the draft policy.

Your views are sought on the Draft Contributory Schemes Policy. The draft policy indicates proposed changes to the policy to provide more equity in apportionment of charges to contributors and Council, and reflects changes to legislation since the last update in 2014.

Your views are important to Council and will be taken into account in the final adoption of a revised policy.