With the new financial year in full swing, the City of Armadale has signed off on its annual budget.
While the 3.9 percent rate rise for landowners might make a few eyes water, there are scant few surprises in the allocation of that revenue.
A few long-awaited projects will finally have their day this year.
The Morgan Park redevelopment is set to break ground, with close to $4 million from the kitty set aside for the major revamp. Around $900,000 of that funding is coming from council reserves, and just over $1.5 million is borrowed.
The biggest plank of the projected $3.77 million redevelopment is a brand-new 750-square-metre pavilion. The building will include a community hall space, a dedicated club room area with a separate kiosk, four junior change rooms, and toilets.
With the Morgan Park Master Plan endorsed way back in 2016, this has been a makeover over a decade in the making.
The Forrestdale Sporting Precinct community will also be pleased to see close to $6 million promised to create a brand-new pavilion that will replace the ageing Ian Pratt and William Skeet pavilions.
There will also be additional parking constructed as part of this first phase of redevelopment – with new multi-marked hardcourts, playground and youth space earmarked for 2026/27, and a community hall to come around 2028.
Around $2 million of the funding for the first stage of the project has come from developer contributions and Public Open Space payments.
The Piara Waters Netball Club will finally have a home of their own, with $1 million in the kitty for netball courts at Piara Waters Senior High School, and a further $450,000 for lighting and changerooms. The money for this new facility has come directly through developer contributions.
A cool half million has also been set aside to plan and design Seville Central Park, and the heritage-listed Wirra Willa gardens will be getting $345,000-worth of attention after falling into neglect prior to the City of Armadale’s purchase of the property.
The Wallangarra Pony Club’s Fletcher Park hall and Springdale Pavilion changeroom are also listed for renewal in this year’s budget.
Just under $1.7 million has been allocated to redeveloping the depot facilities on Owen Rd in Kelmscott.
And there’ll be significant road resurfacing works at Alexwood Drive in Forrestdale, Champion Drive in Seville Grove, Croyden Rd in Roleystone, Jull Street and Seventh Road in Armadale, Nicholson Road and Skeet Road in Harrisdale, Third Avenue in Kelmscott and Wright Road in Piara Waters.
There will also be major footpath works this year along Railway Avenue, between Ryland Road and Bray Street, and Westfield Road and Lake Road. Over $3 million has been committed to these two sections of path.
