The Shire of Augusta Margaret River announced no increase in rates for the coming year, in the 2020-21 budget passed by Council this week.
The budget also boasts no cuts to services, select business fee waivers and new funds to aid community recovery.
Shire President Ian Earl said Council's key priority was to continue supporting the community through the challenging time. "It's been a year unlike any other and as a Council we're focused on helping our community and local businesses navigate the road to recovery," he said.
The Shire said a $21.6m investment in capital works over the next 12 months would help stimulate the local economy.
The Augusta Margaret River 2020-21 Budget includes:
- $21.6m in capital works focused on supporting local construction businesses and local jobs that includes
- Over $8.3m for road, footpath and drainage renewal and upgrade
- $1.3m renewing and upgrading community buildings
- $1m to construct a synthetic hockey turf training facility
- $160k for solar panel installation on the Shire's admin building
- $700k improvements at Davis Road landfill.
- Over $8.3m for road, footpath and drainage renewal and upgrades
- $1.3m renewing and upgrading community buildings
- $1m to construct a synthetic hockey turf training facility
- $160k for solar panel installation on the Shire's admin building
- $700k improvements at Davis Road landfill.
- $1.4m allocated towards the COVID-19 Community Care Package
- $8m to deliver community services and facilities including Libraries, Recreation Centres, Out of School Hours Care, Arts & Culture, Beach Lifeguards, maintaining parks, reserves and streetscapes.
- $860k for environmental related projects and contributions to environmental groups.
- $557k to support halls associations, community groups, youth services, capacity building, access & inclusion and age friendly programs.
- $230k for iconic and community events.
Details of how remaining funds from the Council's COVID-19 Community Care Package will be determined at the next council meeting. Shire Chief Executive Stephanie-Addison Brown said the Shire's healthy financial position helped deliver a range of measures to support the community whilst delivering a balanced budget.
"The 2020-21 balanced budget seeks to build upon the pandemic recovery measures implemented during the last quarter of 2019-20 while also ensuring prudent financial management for the continued operational sustainability of the Shire," she said.
Have your say
Do you feel the latest budget is good news for the community? Would you prefer to see funds spent in other areas? Let us know via email to journalist@margaretrivermail.com.au
