Council has endorsed our 2024/25 budget
Last night Council endorsed our 2024/25 budget which includes a $19 million investment in improving our community’s assets, plus $800,000 for local community and environmental groups over the next 12 months.
In addition to funding ongoing services, such as our recreation centres, libraries and Nala Bardip Mia – Margaret River HEART, and the continued maintenance of roads, paths, parks and reserves, provision has been made for renewal and upgrade projects across all areas of the Shire. The projects include:
- Playground renewals in Cowaramup townsite, Cowara Heights, Parkwater Estate and Rapids Landing
- New playgrounds for Witchcliffe and Gracetown
- Completion of the shared-use trail in Augusta linking Flinders Bay to the Cape Leeuwin lighthouse
- Construction of hardcourts in Witchcliffe and multipurpose courts at Alexandra Bridge
- Upgrades to the Margaret River Football Club changerooms
- Renewal of the East Augusta jetty and foreshore embankment
- Works to the Flinders Bay beach stairway and fencing
- Wallcliffe Road lookout improvements
- Revegetation works, public open space improvements in Symphony Waters White Elephant landscaping
- Road renewal projects in Scott River, Rosa Brook, Rosa Glen, Warner Glen, Molloy Island, Forest Grove and Karridale.
Shire President Julia Meldrum said the rigorous budgeting process had tried to balance the needs and desires of our community with what the Shire can realistically afford.
“Above all we want our shire to be great place to live and for our growing community to have access to the services and facilities they expect and deserve,” she said.
“Protecting our unique environment and supporting people of all ages to live an active lifestyle is what’s most important to our community and this is reflected in our plans for the next 12 months.”.
The Shire President said the budget process had started in April and had used the Shire’s Strategic Community Plan 2040 to guide decision making.
“Our Strategic Community Plan 2040 was developed in consultation with our residents to identify what’s important to our community. This document has been central to our budgeting process.
“We’ve undertaken regular workshops between councillors and Shire staff since April to carefully consider the level of investment we need from the community via rates to deliver the projects and services that everyone wants.
“Of course we can’t do everything at once, so we’ve workshopped what we can do now and what we’ll do in future years.”
Shire President Meldrum said Council was also committed to ongoing proactive advocacy to secure more funding from the State and Federal government.
“We need the State and Federal Government to make a bigger investment in our shire because our community and environment just can’t sustain the impact of increased tourism and population growth,” she said. “We’ve become a bucket list travel destination marketed around the globe by the State Government, and our population has grown by 26% since 2016.”
“On top of that, the percentage of Commonwealth tax revenue distributed to local governments via grants has nearly halved over the past 30 years. We want funding levels returned to historical levels, plus more funding for local governments who, like us, host tourists because our ratepayers should not be subsidising the cost of facilities which are enjoyed by visitors and local alike.”
At last night's meeting council also agreed to establish a specialist committee to formalise the Shire’s approach to advocacy and identify clear priorities. Read more here.
To learn more about the major projects planned for your town, read this news article. For a budget breakdown and Q&As go to this news story