The City of Swan Council has adopted the 2021/22 budget, which delivers an extensive capital works program and essential services, with a zero per cent increase in total rates revenue for the same property base for the second year in a row.
City of Swan Mayor Kevin Bailey said this financial year the City is focused on reunifying and strengthening our community as we recover not only from the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, but also the devastating Wooroloo and Gidgegannup bushfires.
"The City's 2021/22 budget provides a platform for stable and sustainable growth, while delivering essential services and infrastructure in an important time of recovery for our community," he said.
"Council spends close to six months refining the budget, with a priority of balancing the financial impact of rates with the growing needs of our community, and I am pleased to say we will collect no more in rates revenue from the same property base than we did last year."
The budget delivers an extensive Capital Works Program, which includes $72.6 million for roads and bridges and $54.4 million for building construction and works.
Highlights of our Capital Works Program are the construction of Ellenbrook Leisure Centre and the Stock Road Upgrade, two of the City's largest building and road projects to-date.
The Ellenbrook Leisure Centre is a multi-million dollar project that will offer residents access to a state-of-the-art indoor recreation and aquatic facility.
The community will also benefit from a major upgrade of Stock Road, Bullsbrook. The new road will provide vital access to a new industrial area, boosting the north east metropolitan area's economic potential and unlocking thousands of local jobs.
Once complete, the Stock Road upgrade will create a much needed connection between Tonkin Highway and Great Northern Highway.
Both projects will boost the local economy and cater to our growing population which is set to double by 2051.
In addition, the City is actively working with grant bodies to mitigate the financial pressure to our ratepayers and there are currently $58.7 million in grants, subsidies and contributions currently listed for 2021/22.
The City is also continuing to support our bushfire-affected ratepayers, with rates concessions applied last financial year, and building and planning application fees waived until 2022/23.
"We also continue to deliver a wide range of services to empower and inspire our community, from libraries to youth services, health and fitness programs and community transport, as well as a suite of online programs," said Mayor Bailey.
"Although we continue to face challenging times with an ever-changing landscape due to the pandemic, much has been achieved through careful financial management and planning."
"Our strong community spirit has certainly helped in our recovery efforts and I am thankful to our residents for their continuing support and contribution to the community."
If you would like to register to have your rates sent via email, go to www.swan.wa.gov.au/erates
