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Shire of Murray two per cent rates increase

Vanessa SchmittMandurah Coastal Times

RATES will go up by two percent in the Shire of Murray.

The rate increase will allow council to continue to invest in infrastructure improvements, environment protection, economic development, community support and service-based initiatives.

The 2019/20 budget was approved at the Special Council Meeting on Thursday, August 1.

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Shire President David Bolt said the Budget balanced the desire to limit the increase for ratepayers with the need to maintain a sustainable financial position in the provision of key community services.

“Over the course of the next financial year the Shire will, through collaborative relationships and a combination of revenue sources, continue to improve quality of life in Murray through project delivery, investment attraction, district level planning, tourism and place-making,” he said.

Funding priorities include the Dwellingup Trails and Visitor Centre opening and landscaping, road, parking and path improvements, and the Agri-Innovation Precinct architectural designs and equipment requirements leading to construction $6.5m.

FUNDING

Murray River Square and Foreshore Redevelopment – $1.25m (Part funded by the State Government’s Regional Grant Scheme and Local Projects Local Jobs Grant Scheme, Lotterywest, Peel Development Commission and Alcoa)

District Structure Planning including District Traffic Review – $210,125

Bushfire Centre of Excellence, to ensure the Centre’s opening by December 2020 – in-kind support

Tourism, Place-Making, Economy and Business

Tourism Strategy and Tourism Marketing and Communication Strategy – $78,000

Supporting the delivery of initiatives by local place-making groups – $25,000

Dwellingup Local Place Plan preparation – $5000

Dwellingup 100 town activation to maximise economic opportunities – $9500

Economic development initiatives to continue investment attraction including Murrayfield Airport – $20,000

Business Capability Support Program – $10,000

Façade Refurbishment Subsidy Program – $10,000

Pinjarra Festival – $83,128

Christmas Celebration – $18,879

Youth Program – $10,000

Environment

Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Planning Strategy – $175,000 (Part funded by the Western Australian Planning Commission)

Serpentine-Jarrahdale Landcare Partnership – $25,000

Supporting biosecurity works and projects to build community capacity in weed and pest management – $10,000

Community assisted riverbank restoration – $20,000

Heritage

Edenvale Homestead conservation works – $25,000

Edenvale Landscape Masterplan implementation of first stage works – $62,000

Ceiling replacement for Miss Adam’s House, 6 George Street, Pinjarra – $30,000

Facility Upgrades/Improvements

North Dandalup Oval and Play Space – staged construction pending income from lot sales at Lot 102 Lakes Road

Murray Aquatic and Leisure Centre court one toilet and change room renewal – $64,500

24 hour gym access at Murray Aquatic and Leisure Centre – $42,500

North Pinjarra play space enhancement through access to toilets and hall kitchen upgrade – $9,853

Murray Street Masterplan development, Coolup – $25,000

York Street Park shade sails and green space, Furnissdale – $45,000 (Part funded by Alcoa)

Gowman Reserve playground and landscaping, Ravenswood – $75,000 (Part funded by Lotterywest and Alcoa)

Design of tip face for Corio Road Waste Transfer Station – $53,845

Pinjarra War Memorial relocation and landscaping – $70,000 (Part funded by Alcoa)

Sport and community facilities feasibility studies for South Yunderup, Ravenswood, Pinjarra and Dwellingup – $60,000

Roads – $3m

Pathways – $206,739

Drainage and kerbing – $102,388