THE STATE Government has launched a new website today, which sheds light on the financial details of each local council in WA.
The MyCouncil website allows users to see how local governments were raising, spending and managing their money over time.
There is also a comparison function, allowing users to compare the revenue, expenditure and financial health of each council, and determine if they are receiving value for money.
Local government minister Tony Simpson hopes the website will strengthen councils’ accountability and improve performance across the board.
"We want local governments to be open and transparent when it comes to spending ratepayers' money… Comparisons with other councils will enable local governments to identify areas for continuous improvement," he said.
There is still some data missing from the website, but the department of local government and communities said it will continue to work with local councils to fill these holes.
City of Mandurah
In the City of Mandurah, MyCouncil showed that revenue has increased from $85,355,000 in the financial year of 2011/12, to $99,455,000 in 2014/15.
Council expenditure in Mandurah rose from $93,494,000 in 2011/12, to $116,430,000 in 2014-15.
As was visible in the pie chart, the major areas of expense in 2014/15 were recreation and culture, accounting for 32.82% of the council’s spending, and transport, accounting for 25.69%.
The rates increases in Mandurah have gone from 3.62% in 2011/12 to 6.51% in 2014/15: a much lower starting-point than the WA average, which was at 8.3% in 2011/12, but which actually decreased to 7.98% in 2014/15, while the Mandurah rate increase almost doubled over that time.
Shire of Murray
In the Shire of Murray, MyCouncil showed that revenue has increased from $19,072,628 in the financial year of 2011/12, to $23,085,092 in 2014/15.
Council expenditure in Murray rose from $20,157,556 in 2011/12, to $22,638,475 in 2014-15.
As was visible in the pie chart, the major areas of expense were transport, accounting for 27.56% of the council’s expenditure in 2014/15, and recreation and culture, accounting for 25.76%.
The rates increases in Murray have gone from 10.39% in 2011/12 to 10.71% in 2014/15; not a huge change over time, though higher overall the WA average.
