At the Council meeting held on 29 July 2021, Council adopted the
2021/22 financial budget.
The budget encompasses a rate rise 3.41% and reflects a catch up of CPI
based on the Local Government price index which is predicted to be 3.2% for
2021/22, and an attempt to put building blocks in place to recover from the
zero percent rate rise due to COVID-19 last year.
”It has been a difficult budget, in difficult circumstances, it
includes a significant Shire wide road program in excess of $7million being a
considerable investment in infrastructure across all towns” said Shire
President Paul Omodei.
Major road works this year include Graphite, Perup, North Walpole,
Wheatley Coast, Windy Harbour and Pump Hill Roads with major Bridge works to
take place on Mordalup, Holleys and Muirillup Road Bridges. Infrastructure
projects are set to improve public facilities across the Shire with a new public
toilet block in Pemberton and refurbishments to the Pioneer Park and Town Jetty
public toilets in Walpole and the continuation of the Pemberton colocation
building.
Sporting grounds in Manjimup are also getting a boost with the
commencement of the five year Rea Park and Collier Street sporting precinct
redevelopment, a playground update in Pemberton which is subject to grant
funding, a “3 on 3” basketball court and town hall carpark upgrade for
Northcliffe, enhancements to Pioneer Park in Walpole and the startup of the Trail
Bike Hub project.
“The budget is the instrument by which the Strategic Community Plan
2021-2031 and Council’s Corporate Business Plan 2021-2025 are financed and put
into action. The rate rise of 3.41 percent will go some way to return much
needed funding for infrastructure renewal works as well as providing the level
of service indicated by ratepayers as indicated in the recent community survey”
added Cr Omodei.
The budget document will be available for viewing at the Administration
Office and libraries and
online here.
