Canning council wrap: CCTV, rates, Islamic Centre lease on agenda

THE Canning council covered a lot of ground at its meeting on July 17, becoming not only the first local government in WA to agree to e-petitions but also releasing a new differential rating strategy for public comment.

The council also plans to allocate funds in the next budget to expand CCTV, hand money to a shooting club for improvements to its outdoor ranges, and allow an Islamic group to use a Queens Park building for the next decade.

Differential rates

Canning residents have until August 10 to have their say on the City’s proposed differential rating strategy which includes four categories, all with a minimum rate of $820.

The new differential rates and minimum payments support the city’s long term plans to deliver an overall rate increase of 3.5 per cent.

To provide feedback visit www.canning.wa.gov.au/levy.

E-petitions

At the July 17 meeting, Cr Ben Kunze said he wanted to see the State Government follow the City of Canning’s move to introduce e-petitions.

“It’s not splitting the atom,” Cr Kunze, who works for Riverton MLA Mike Nahan, said.

The city will spend $50,000 in the next year adding online petitions to its current requirement for traditional hardcopy petitions.

Click here for more on e-petitions.

Islamic Centre lease

But Cr Kunze wasn’t as favourable with moves to grant a 10-year, non-renewable lease to the Islamic Centre in the city’s building on Whitlock Road in Queens Park.

Councillors voted 10-1, with Cr Ben Kunze against the motion to finalise the lease.

“I voted against the officer recommendation as I was not convinced that we should provide an exclusive lease to a religious-based organisation, as they already have the advantage of numerous benefits such as tax breaks and rate exemptions to assist their activities,” he said.

“We have many local community groups who are searching for a permanent home and sporting/community facilities are always in high demand, so I didn’t believe we should prioritise a religious organisation. I do however accept the decision of Council.”

This city felt the facility has been underutilised by casual tenants with an annual income of $1179, and more groups were seeking permanent space.

The Islamic Centre was considered as the best tenant for the building of three applicants, and will run six different youth and six different community groups, using the indoor and outdoor space.

Rent will be $750 per annum, with 2 per cent increases annually.

Canning Club grant

Councillors also agreed to allocate $38,482 from its Community Sporting Facilities Reserve to the Canning Club for improvements to its outdoor ranges.

The money is dependent on the club securing the remaining funds to fulfil the $115,000 project by June 30 next year.

The item was moved by Cr Barry and seconded by Deputy Mayor Christine Cunningham who said she supported the recommendation despite not being a fan of shooting clubs.

Deputy Mayor Cunningham said she remembered very clearly a conversation at St Norbert College with a parent whose daughter was off to the Olympics.

CCTV expansion

The City of Canning has allocated funds in its next budget to expand CCTV systems.

Council allocated $30,000 in the draft budget to undertake a scoping study.

At this stage, it is aiming for a $2.25 million option with a centralised control room and CCTV in more car parks.

“The safer we can make Canning the better,” Cr Tim Porter said at the meeting.

After the scoping study, Canning’s chief executive Arthur Kyron will provide a report for Council’s consideration on the ongoing investment in CCTV systems.

Councillors voted 10-1, with Deputy Mayor Cunningham against the motion.