Shire of Murray to discuss dropping to one council meeting per month to cut costs

A DOWNTURN in the economy has led Shire of Murray to look at changing from two full council meetings a month to just one.

Council cited poor economic conditions with high unemployment and a slower than anticipated growth, slower than forecast population growth and a downturn in development applications.

The rates income was lower than forecast and there would be few new staff appointments in the next three or four years.

Due to a slowing of the economy and staff focusing on major infrastructure projects such as the Dwellingup International Trails Hub, Transform Peel, the Mandurah-Murray Growth Plan, the Equine Strategy, the Exchange Hotel redevelopment, Pinjarra Activity Centre Growth Plan and the Pinjarra foreshore redevelopment, council agenda have been getting smaller and meetings are often completed in 20 minutes.

Councillors were told a meeting once a month would save 430 hours a year but still achieve statutory obligations and reduce cost requirements, in both human resource and financial terms.