Canning ratepayers will pay an average of $1.37 extra a week after the council adopted its budget at a special meeting on Thursday, June 25.
Pensioners will get a 50 per cent discount.
“The aim of the city’s annual budget is to balance the needs of our community today while planning for a brighter future tomorrow. I believe this budget successfully achieves these objectives,” said mayor Patrick Hall.
“Our residents have told us that they value community safety, the environment, our events and other recreational experiences, improved transport links and an overall greater sense of community.
“The $180 million ‘Better Budget for a Brighter Future’ addresses all these priorities in a financially responsible way.”
He said the council faced increased costs from service and utility providers and wage increases.
“Every service we provide costs more to deliver and we are not able to absorb these increases, but we have worked hard to minimise our costs without compromising or cutting services,” he said.
The 2024-2025 budget provides $4.91 million for community safety services. This includes $250,000 to upgrade and expand CCTV coverage across the city, and $100,000 to maintain the popular Security Incentive Scheme, which offers a rebate to help residents install home security items.
“We want residents to feel as safe as possible in their homes and the Security Incentive Scheme is one way we achieve this by making security items more affordable,” Mayor Hall said.
The city has allocated a total of $32.25 million for better parks and playgrounds, maintaining over 500 hectares of parks and sporting reserves, and more than 75,000 street and park trees.
“We recognise that young families are choosing to move to Canning to take advantage of excellent employment opportunities and outstanding schools, so we have committed to offering family-friendly amenities and services,” Mr Hall said.
“As part of this commitment, council has approved $8.3 million for new playgrounds, including three new district playgrounds in Shelley, Maniana Park and Kent Street Weir which will be delivered over the next 18 months.”
A further $26.24 million is earmarked to support leisure and lifestyle activities for the community through improvements to many of our much-loved recreational facilities, including Whaleback Golf Course.
The budget also provides $4.95 million to support clubs and community organisations, including upgrades to the Corinthian Park Tennis Club building and Ferndale Reserve change rooms, sports lighting for Ranford Oval, canoe storage at Kent Street Weir, and change room upgrades to encourage female participation in sport.
The 2024-2025 budget sets $31.96 million aside to renew and maintain over 600 kilometres of road, 400 kilometres of cycling and walking paths, expanded transport options and other key infrastructure projects.
The budget also sees $17.66 million allocated to improving and managing the city’s waste and recycling services.
Residents experiencing financial hardship and having difficulty paying their rates can contact the city to assist in making alternative payment arrangements.
Residents are also encouraged to sign up to eRates at www.canning.wa.gov.au/eRates to eliminate postal charges for instalment notices. Accounts receiving a pensioner or senior rebate are exempt from these charges.
