TOWN of Victoria Park and City of South Perth have made increases to rates among the highest in the Perth metro area.
The City of South Perth approved a rate increase of 3 per cent on July 10, which followed the Town’s increase of 3.5 per cent late last month.
Town of Victoria Park Mayor Trevor Vaughan said the council had considered many factors including the economic climate and community factors including property prices.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“In recent years, many operating costs including utilities (water, power) and products (bitumen), for example, have increased more than the rate of inflation,” he said.
“While CPI is a good general economic indicator, it is not a great reflection of the true costs incurred by local governments.”
The Town’s budget includes $1.5 million for the redevelopment of Lathlain Park (zone 2) and $250,000 for the GO Edwards Park renovation.
The Town increased rates in 2015-16 by 8 per cent and in the last financial year rates went up by 4 per cent.
City of South Perth Mayor Sue Doherty said the council faced a test economically.
“The State Government is implementing tough measures to repair the State’s finances and this only adds to the pressure faced by those who live and work in the City of South Perth,” she said.
“The City’s 2017-2018 Annual Budget provides funding for responsible governance, an extensive range of community services and capital initiatives that maintain and improve the City’s infrastructure, community buildings and parklands.”
Included in the City’s budget is about $8.8 million for the Ernest Johnson Reserve development, about $860,000 for stage one of Connect South on Mends Street and $350,000 for the implementation of recommendations from the South Perth Station Precinct Place + Design Report, central to which is the preparation of an Activity Centre Plan for the Precinct and immediate surrounding area.
A selection of rate rises in other Perth councils
Perth: 1.5 per cent Belmont, Cockburn: 1.75 per cent Fremantle, Mandurah: 1.9 per cent Gosnells: 1.95 per cent Armadale, Melville: 2 per cent Bassendean: 2.5 per cent Rockingham: 3 per cent Bayswater: 4.9 per cent
MORE: Bellevue: historic blunder feared over Darling Range Hotel proposal
MORE: Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council leads the way in sustainability