Ratepayers in the Shire of Murray will cop up to a 4.1 per cent average rates and waste increase this financial year, after councillors approved the Shire’s budget on Thursday morning.
The hike would set the minimum rate at $1099.
The decision comes one week after the City of Mandurah approved a modest 1.9 per cent rates increase in their financial year budget, the lowest in almost two decades.
The Shire of Murray’s rates increase sits between the highest ones in the state so far, with the City of Bayswater topping the list with a 4.95 per cent hike.
Other councils with significant rates increases are Victoria Park with a 3.5 per cent and Rockingham, Nedlands and South Perth with a 3 per cent.
Shire president Maree Reid said the increase was the result of a balance between maintaining the Shire’s assets, delivering new projects and keeping the rates as low as possible.
“Council is committed to improving the district’s infrastructure to meet current and future demand as the population grows at approximately 2.2 per cent per annum,” she said.
“If Shire assets are not continually maintained and developed it will be almost impossible in future years to keep up with that demand.”
Projects on the agenda
The 2017/18 budget for Murray will focus on service delivery, asset renewal, infrastructure development and strategic investment in tourism and industry.
Some of the projects planned for the financial year include:
- A $1.8 million contribution towards the Dwellingup National Adventure and Trails Centre project.
- A $130,000 allocation towards building a public toilet facility at the Cantwell Park playground.
- A $87,000 funding allocation towards the design and contract documentation for landscape works within the Murray River Square and Murray River foreshore area.
- $76,000 towards upgrading the Murray Leisure Centre’s aquatic flooring and lighting.
- A $102,500 allocation towards the tender process and preliminary project management for the dredging of the Yunderup Entrance Channel.
- $43,000 towards reticulation works at the South Yunderup Oval.
- $50,000 towards the installation of play equipment and shade sails at Moondyne Ramble Park.
- $60,000 towards the delivery of Pinjarra Festival and $20,000 towards the Shire’s youth portfolio.
- More than $120,000 towards the redevelopment of the Furnissdale Boat Launch Facility and $40,000 towards an investigation into design options for the Sandy Cove canal ares.
- A $35,000 funding allocation for Wharf Cove Jetty improvement works and the North Dandalup recreational precinct development.
- $20,000 will go towards conservation works at the Edenvale Homestead precinct.
- The Shire will also spend $135,000 extending their shared path network in Pinjarra’s First and Second Streets and Riverside Drive.
- $375,000 will be spent on the installation of culverts to replace bridge structures.
- $1.29 million will also be spent in roadworks at Lakes Road, Hopelands Road, Del Park Road and East Coolup Road.
In addition to the above funding allocations, the Shire will also spend $275,000 in parks, $143,000 in buildings and $178,000 in drainage, kerbing and footpath works.
“Council is further committed to securing the district’s economic prosperity through strategic investment in industry and tourism initiatives,” Ms Reid said.