Preservation gets lion’s share of funds

Earlier this month the budget passed with a rates rise of 5.5 per cent and heritage funding received the lion’s share of the spoils.

Historic building preservation had $1.2 million earmarked and at the Town’s meeting on Tuesday council approved a heritage review with an additional budget of $150,000 to include appropriate properties on the Heritage List.

Cr Cliff Collinson said it was one of the most important things the Town had pursued. ‘One of our biggest priorities prior to amalgamation is to make sure that our heritage is reviewed and protected,’ Cr Sian Martin said.

Under the budget, the Town Hall and the Old Police Station restoration will both continue for a second year with $383,000 and $150,000 earmarked respectively.

The Plympton footpaths program will enter its third year with a budget of $364,900 and a Plympton Parking program was allocated $152,800.

Meanwhile residents could find themselves with a nice surprise as a host of deposits on footpaths were returned as the Town’s finance department tidied up ahead of amalgamation.