Ten million dollars will be invested on local roads and more than one million dollars on footpaths as part of Bankstown City Council’s 2012/13 budget.

Mayor Khal Asfour said the total budget will be $152 million including $119 million for day-to-day operations and $33 million on capital works.

Among the budget highlights:

• $9.8 million for local roads including $1.3 million for Greenacre and Waterloo Roads at Greenacre, $593,000 at Koonwarra Street at Villawood, $538,000 for Edgar Street at Condell Park, and $340,000 for Tower Street at Panania;
• $3.2 million for parks and sporting fields including four new hard surface netball courts at Deverall Park, and installation of fitness equipment and lighting in Roberts Park, Greenacre;
• $2.5 million for stormwater and drainage projects including Lake Gillawarna, Georges River Bank stabilisation and Little Salt Pan Creek;
• $1.6 million for Panania town centre improvements;
• $1.4 million for the upgrading of the Chester Hill Library as part of council’s library renewal program; and
• $1.1 million for footpaths including Mundamatta-Lowana Streets Villawood, Marco Avenue Revesby-Marshall Lane East Hills and Maclaurin Avenue-Henry Lawson Drive East Hills.)

Clr Asfour said for the 37th consecutive year, Bankstown City Council will not increase rates above the benchmark set by the NSW Government.

“For the past two years, council has not borrowed one cent and is on target, as promised, to be debt free by 2018,” Clr Asfour said.

“I am extremely proud of these achievements which show responsible financial management and good governance, yet we have continued to fund vital projects and services to cater for the needs of our community.”

The draft 2012-13 budget will go on public exhibition on Friday 18 May until Friday 15 June 2012. Copies are available at council’s Customer Service Counter, libraries, online at www.haveyoursaybankstown.com.au or by calling (02) 9707 9277.