Budget a responsible blueprint for coming year

The City of South Perth Council adopted its 2021/22 Annual Budget at the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 22 June 2021. City of South Perth ratepayers will see no increase in the Waste Service Charge and a modest increase of 1% on their rates bill. 

The 2021/22 Budget supports spending on major projects and community facility maintenance, as well as providing essential services and infrastructure to meet community needs as identified in the City’s Strategic Community Plan.

For the third year running Council have delivered a budget that provides an average rates movement either equal to or below Perth CPI. 

This year’s 1% increase means that the average residential property with a GRV of $21,320 will pay an additional $16.44 a year or 63 cents per fortnight. 

The waste levy has remained unchanged for the third year in a row at $325 for a typical household – one of the lowest waste charges in the Perth metropolitan area. 

The City has worked hard to identify savings and efficiencies across the organisation to improve its financial health and has implemented a range of financially responsible measures that improve cost-effectiveness without adversely impacting service delivery. 

The 2021/22 Budget looks to the future, growing financial reserves by an estimated $10.52m – the first net increase in reserves since the 2014/15 financial year. This will improve the City’s ability to maintain and replace assets critical to the service and amenity of the community, and demonstrates Council’s commitment to responsible financial management.

Delivering on the strategic vision of “a city of active places and beautiful spaces”, the Budget includes spending on essential services such as roads and paths, lighting and technology, park and playground upgrades plus renewal of foreshore assets.

Mayor Greg Milner said the Budget delivers sound, responsible and sustainable management of the City’s financial resources.

“The 2021/22 Annual Budget is the best City of South Perth budget that I have seen during my time as an Elected Member. It demonstrates our commitment to not increase the financial burden on our ratepayers relative to inflation, while supporting local economic recovery and growth.

“It also showcases the City’s ability to respond to opportunities for external funding and deliver better outcomes for our community. A significant number of the capital works projects in the 2021/22 Budget are partly or fully funded by external grants secured by the City. In delivering this great outcome for our ratepayers, the City has demonstrated an active eye for opportunity, as well as the skills and flexibility to deliver value-adding projects within the relevant grant timeframes.

“This Budget delivers. It delivers no increase in the waste charge, a modest rates increase, responsible financial management, cost-efficient services and improved facilities, amenity and outcomes for our community.
 
“I would like to thank my fellow Councillors, the CEO, Executive Team and all the City staff who worked so hard to deliver this Budget and I commend it to you.”

2021/22 Budget highlights

Better Parks and Playgrounds 

$1.26m (inclusive of $0.78m external grant funding)
New universally accessible play equipment at Hurlingham playground
New playground at Bradshaw Conochie Reserve 
Waterford Triangle Project
South Perth Foreshore Strategy and Management Plan Node 2 Planning

Security, Lighting and Technology

$0.96m (inclusive of $0.48m external grant funding)
Floodlighting at Challenger Reserve, Bill Grayden Reserve and Hensman Park Tennis courts
CCTV cameras in Karawara
Fibre optic cabling along Mends Street

Community Facility Improvements

$1.59m (inclusive of $0.13m external grant funding)
Como Bowling Club kitchen and toilet upgrades
Manning Bowling Club toilets
Neil McDougall House roof repairs
South Perth Bridge Club toilets
South Perth Senior Citizens Centre lighting
Manning Hub Laneway redevelopment
Planning for a new Recreation and Aquatic Facility 
Old Mill conservation and visitor services
South Perth Library lighting
Manning Library furniture

Road Maintenance and Safety 

$3.24m (inclusive of $1.98m grant funding)
Mill Point/Mends St raised safety plateau
Traffic calming initiatives
Road upgrades

Improved Footpath and Cycle Infrastructure 

$1.12m (inclusive of $0.29m grant funding)
Footpath upgrades
Cycle path extension and improvements
Redmond Stairs upgrade

Looking after our Environment and Foreshores 

$1.46m (inclusive of $1.07m grant funding)
Black Swan Habitat
Como beach river wall and drainage upgrade
Neil McDougall Park Water Sensitive Urban Design Project

To view the endorsed Budget visit the Council Meetings page.