City of Canning plans to continue increasing rates despite promising to fix city budget this year

Local News, How to

The City of Canning promised the 2023-24 financial year was the end of a three-year plan to fix the city budget through higher rate rises, yet ratepayers were this week confronted with an even bigger proposed hike for the coming year.

The council voted on Tuesday to advertise a rate rise of 6.75 per cent for the upcoming financial year, although some councillors vowed there was still time to reduce the size of the hit to ratepayers.

If the 6.75 per cent figure is approved in coming weeks, ratepayers could expect an average $81 higher bill than last year.

PerthNow Digital Edition.Your local paper, whenever you want it.Read now

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

The rates will underpin the city’s proposed budget of $167 million for 2024-25.

An officer’s report said a significant reason for the proposed rates increase was a $1.5 million allocation to improve both the Cannington and Riverton Leisureplexes.

“Recent condition reports have identified necessary works in excess of $10m which will need to be funded over the next five years,” the report said.

“The $1.5m increase in capital spend in the draft 24-25 budget absorbs almost 2 per cent of the proposed rate increase.”

Other southern suburbs councils have in recent weeks advertised rates rises of between 4 and 5.4 per cent.

Any move by the Canning council to lower the rates impost would affect spending in the budget, which city officers say includes plans to boost spending on CCTV and security to $5m, $25m to maintain and develop urban forests and parks, $14m to manage recreational facilities, $32m to maintain and expand transport and other infrastructure, $17m to manage waste and recycling, and $1.89m for the city centre regeneration.

The proposed 6.75 per cent rate increase comes despite the city promising the 2023-24 financial year was the end of a three-year economic recovery mission by implementing higher rate rises.

Yet last year’s rate rise was much less at 4.65 per cent.

Mayor Patrick Hall told PerthNow the proposed rise would keep Canning assets sustainable into the future.

“Frankly we are really struggling to keep pace with a really volatile market at the moment for a whole raft of things and whilst it seems like the rate rise is not in keeping with previous council intent, I have to say that every council has has a fiduciary requirement to manage the city’s assets in a way that will keep it sustainable,” he said.

“We are not going to be going down a road of trying to be populist and deliver small increases even though they will be of great disadvantage and detriment in the long term to our community.

“We’re trying to face the stark reality of the financial market we find ourselves in and deliver a rate rise that will keep us sustainable into the future.”

However, he said the city would continue to work on ways to try find savings in the budget to be able to lower the proposed rate.

“We are still working behind the scenes on our budget. This is only the first look at it and this is the proposed rate but we may actually land on a different rate,” he said.

At the council meeting, several councillors vowed to make that the case.

“We will try our hardest to make sure the rate increase is kept to a minimum. We recognise we have some work to do and we will do that,” deputy mayor Amanda Spencer-Teo said.

Cr Michelle Hurn took aim at the city’s asset management, claiming it did “not yet have the fundamentals in place incorporating whole lifecycle asset management planning”.

“In the next year I expect this gap to be closed and I will not be supporting any further sudden or above CPI rates increases to accommodate the city’s core function.

“With strong reservations around the fundamentals of asset management in the city, I will be supporting this motion.”

When asked if there would be potential to lower the proposed rates, Canning chief executive Michael Littleton said city officers were “obviously working very hard”.

“During our workshops we spoke about the cost escalations that are affecting our business but we are also giving you a commitment that we would come back with a range of proposals,” he said.

“At this stage we are balancing at 6.75 per cent but we will certainly be coming back and continuing to work to reduce our costs from a rate increase.”

Cr Hardeep Singh was against advertising the rates and said the city should find ways to make the rates lower before it was advertised.

“I request you to consider that any increase in council rates will undoubtedly increase the financial strain for many households in our community,” he said.

“It is crucial we explore other revenue generation strategies. We need to make Canning a better place for everyone without placing undue burden on those who are already struggling.”

Cr Singh was the only councillor against advertising the rate increase.

Canning’s proposed increase will be advertised for 21 days so residents can lodge written submissions before it is considered for the city’s 2024-25 budget.

OTHER NEWS

20 minutes ago

Disappointed Connor McDavid wins Conn Smythe Trophy

22 minutes ago

Joey Ortiz homers and Bryse Wilson pitches 6 scoreless innings as Brewers defeat Rangers

24 minutes ago

Cabramatta shooting, Sydney: New details emerge as gunman remains at large

24 minutes ago

Video: England send fans and WAGs into despair with bore draw against Slovenia - as supporters sleep, families WEEP and Gareth Southgate is pelted with booze (and boos)... but his side win group so avoid Germany, Spain, Portugal or France until the final

25 minutes ago

England's big name players have not brought their true selves to this stage - they look lost and are a team waiting to be beaten, writes IAN LADYMAN

26 minutes ago

Ger Brennan’s holistic approach has Louth dreaming big as they take on Donegal

26 minutes ago

Fort Worth native loses home in New Mexico wildfire

26 minutes ago

House Democrat becomes the first Squad member ever defeated in a primary battle

26 minutes ago

Why Jamaal Bowman Lost

26 minutes ago

Sheri Biggs wins South Carolina GOP primary runoff election to succeed Rep. Duncan

26 minutes ago

David sinks Peru to keep Canada alive in Copa America

26 minutes ago

Waymo Opens Driverless Rides to Anyone in San Francisco, No Wait List Needed

26 minutes ago

Explained: The rules for first US presidential debate

26 minutes ago

What happened to assistant referee in Canada match vs. Peru? Copa America official collapses on touchline in Kansas City heat

26 minutes ago

Soccer-Assistant referee faints in Peru v Canada Copa America clash

26 minutes ago

Where Titans landed in PFT's pre-camp NFL power rankings

26 minutes ago

Is Cheese Healthy For People With Heart Disease? A Review By Nutrition Professionals

29 minutes ago

Suburban man dies after truck swept away by river amid historic Iowa flooding

32 minutes ago

QUENTIN LETTS: If Rishi Sunak's trousers were Norman Wisdom, Nigel Farage's cravat was pure Terry-Thomas

32 minutes ago

How you can get unlimited deliveries from Kmart, Bunnings, Priceline, Catch and Officeworks for just $1 with this little-known trick

32 minutes ago

Video: Shane Warne's youngest daughter Summer announces her shock new career move

32 minutes ago

Multi-national luxury lifestyle retailer with storied history immediately shutters its American stores as it files for bankruptcy in the US

32 minutes ago

Beloved father is identified as one of two passengers killed in Carwarp minibus crash that injured nine others

32 minutes ago

Australian business owner smugly admits to only ever visiting a Western Sydney suburb ONCE before opening a store there

32 minutes ago

Luna Park, Sydney: Australia's most famous theme park hits the market

32 minutes ago

Shocking moment thugs armed with Rambo knives fight in the middle of the day on residential London street

32 minutes ago

Labour will turn Britain into the 'asylum capital of the world', Home Secretary James Cleverly warns - amid claims illegal migrants are waiting for change of Government

32 minutes ago

2025 BYD Sealion 7: Tesla Model Y rival locked in for Australia

32 minutes ago

H&R Block director of tax communications reveals the three things you should do before July 1 to boost your tax refund

32 minutes ago

PM Modi recalling past to hide his shortcomings: Kharge on ‘Emergency’ snub

32 minutes ago

VIDEO: Athlete awarded $13M after fall on sidewalk

32 minutes ago

Here's A Megalist Of All The Celebrities At Vogue World 2024 In Paris

32 minutes ago

Draw opens up - England's path through the knockouts

32 minutes ago

MPs back in boost to governor-general's salary

32 minutes ago

Lineker claims England star has been ‘hung out to dry’ by Southgate at Euro 2024

32 minutes ago

Flooded Rapdian Dam brings home dangerously close to collapse

32 minutes ago

Patriots DT Davon Godchaux addresses uncertain contract status

32 minutes ago

New Balance summer sale sees £33 off trainers that are 'like walking on pillows'

32 minutes ago

Elections 2024 live updates: Latimer upsets Bowman in N.Y., while Boebert wins new Colo. district

32 minutes ago

Blue Bombers to put standout receiver Dalton Schoen on six-game injured list