Published on Tuesday, 25 June 2019 at 4:26:50 PM
Mayor Shane Van Styn says keeping rate rises low was a priority for Council as they adopted the 2019/20 Budget.
At tonight’s Council Meeting, the City of Greater Geraldton’s new Budget was endorsed and it is “business as usual”.
“We’ve kept rate rises below the forecast local government’s inflationary indicator of 2.2% in 2019-20 as we don’t want to put the community through high and unattainable rate rises now or in the future,” Mayor Van Styn said.
“We understand times are tough and we are listening.
“Rate rises were projected to be at 2.5% but the City has worked hard to ensure our service level and asset renewal remains high, while rates remain low.”
Aggregate rates will rise only 1.5% this financial year, whilst minimum rates will remain frozen at $1010.
This year’s Budget features a $20 million spend on road, footpath and park renewals and a big emphasis on the suburbs.
Rangeway, Utakarra, Spalding and Waggrakine are set to reap the benefits with a big spend on footpaths and upgrades to parks.
Community members will also enjoy free parking and a decrease in waste with the trial of kerbside collection of food and organic waste going ahead.
Road renewals have also remained a top priority with more than 12kms of sealed road to be resurfaced and more than 61kms of unsealed roads re-sheeted.
“We’re still on track to financial sustainability and I’m happy to see this year’s Budget is holding us steady on course,” Mayor Van Styn said.
“We will retain a surplus position this financial year while keeping rate rises low, despite a large rise in depreciation from new assets as well as the general inflation of the costs relevant to municipal works and services.”
For more information or to view the City’s 2019/20 Budget, head to www.cgg.wa.gov.au
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