Councillor update from Cr Peter Allan for June/July 2026

The 2026/2027 Annual Council Budget has virtually been finalised, at time of publication, and the Council's overall rate rise is 2.75% in keeping with the State Government's rate cap. Council has no borrowings. The operational budget provides $194 million for the delivery of services and $85 million in capital works.

Council will continue to deliver the Whitehorse Integrated Council Plan 2025-2029 in its second year.

Both Council and I will continue to advocate for partnerships with the State Government for the construction of the new Surrey Park Sporting and Community Pavilion, with a possible cost of $13 million.

Council also continues to advocate for the former 'Box Hill Brickworks' site (formerly Standard Brickworks) to be
rehabilitated and turned into open space. The State Government should assist Council to acquire the 7ha site and eventually make it open space for the whole community. The amount of proposed very high density dwellings and towers planned for Box Hill almost requires the State Government to step up to the plate for the Box Hill community. Council could also assist.

Council is very much awaiting the public release of the Suburban Rail Loop Panel Report, which has been submitted to the Minister for Planning by the Panel in February. This has followed months of submissions and hearings from Council and the community in 2025.

We need its release to provide certainty on future development in Box Hill.

Council is also looking at establishing better indoor sports facilities and a possible new table tennis facility within the city and has been consulting the relevant sporting clubs and bodies for input. Council has recently provided an update on its Open Space Strategy and is updating its Housing Strategy.

The establishment of the proposed Chinese Community and Cultural Centre in Box Hill is continuing in its early stages and hopefully will get support from the State and Federal governments in regards to the feasibiltiy study, which will look at site options, community needs, governance models, financial sustainability and concept design for the Centre.

Please feel free to contact me on the above matters and any Council issue by email or mobile.