Council approves budget for City of Gosnells
Council approves budget for City of Gosnells
City of Gosnells Councillors have approved a 7.3 per cent rise in rates, with soaring landfill levies and electricity tariffs contributing to the increase as well as the need to provide for a rapidly growing population.
Mayor Olwen Searle said the City worked hard to make sure the increase in rates is the lowest possible in circumstances, which see the City facing a $580,000 increase in electricity charges and a rise in the State Government landfill levy to $28 per tonne which will increase the cost of refuse disposal by around $370,000.
“The City is facing major increases in power bills, water, landfill levies and other charges,” the Mayor said.
“As a Council we have to balance our desire to keep rates as low as possible with the need to look after a rapidly growing community. The City has processed record numbers of building applications over the past 12 months and all those people need infrastructure such as roads, drainage and parks.
“The services the City of Gosnells delivers are absolutely vital. Economic development, essential infrastructure projects and vulnerable members of our community all suffer if services are cut.
“Sustainable development will continue to be a priority as several major projects come to fruition and new work begins on a number of innovative plans for public spaces.
“The City of Gosnells will be undertaking $19 million worth of new capital works projects in this financial year.”
Stage 2 of the Amherst Village Estate will be completed in the early part of the financial year enabling 99 residential lots and three mixed use lots to be put on the market.
The City will be also looking forward to the completion of the Public Open Space Strategy which is an important document aimed at assisting in the provision and management of public open space throughout the City.
The Mills Park water harvesting project will see the establishment of a reliable water source for the active reserves at this regional facility.
With the assistance of the community it is expected that a Master Plan will be approved to enable future funding consideration for a significant upgrade of the active and passive recreation spaces that make up Mills Park.
The Kenwick Revitalisation Project will involve the undergrounding of power to a number of properties around the Kenwick Village.
There will also be a major upgrading of the streetscapes in Belmont Road, Kenwick Road, Shere Street and Stretton Way around the Kenwick Village Shopping Centre.
The redevelopment of Stretton Way Reserve will transform the area into a major local focal point for passive and active recreation activity.
The minimum residential rates bill will rise from $697 last year to $747 with refuse and recycling charges increased to $223.
Ratepayers will have a chance to win up to $1000 off their rate bill thanks to competitions supported by Forest Lakes Shopping Centre and Westpac Bank. Details of the competitions will be delivered with rates notices, along with a newsletter, advice on firebreaks and a recycling calendar.