The Devonport City Council’s draft 2019/20 Budget includes a $16.79 million capital works program.
It consists of $1.32 million for public open space and recreation; $6.29 million for transport; $1.29 million for stormwater and $6 million for the Waterfront Park. Almost $4 million is expected to come from external funding.
But, it comes at little extra cost to ratepayers with Council able to keep the average general rate increase around 1.1% for next financial year which is well below the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 2.1%.
Mayor Annette Rockliff said it was a positive result and evidence of Council’s prudent financial management. “Council is extremely proud that over the past 5 years while the CPI has increased 8.1% the general rate has only increased an average of 2.1% which included four consecutive years of zero increases.”
”In simple terms the impact on next year’s rates means most property owners will pay an extra $10-$20 in their general rate plus a $10 increase in their waste management charge, the first increase in waste charges since the 2016/17 year,” she said.
“The majority of commercial customers, who receive three times the collection frequency of residential customers, will see an increase of $30 in their waste management charge and for the sixth year straight no increase in the general rate.”
Among the public open space and recreation projects to be undertaken are a renovation of the main Valley Road soccer ground ($182,000), a Mersey Bluff inclusive playground ($96,000 but subject to $54,160 in external funding) and a new Bluff Beach accessible ramp ($100,000).
The Northern Rooke Street renewal ($1 million), a resealing program ($700,000), Coastal Pathway contribution ($600,000), Holyman Street road surface and footpath renewal ($490,000), Berrigan Road-Lyons Avenue intersection safety improvements ($400,000 funded by the Federal Government’s Black Spot Program), Fenton and Stewart Streets intersection safety improvements ($415,000 also funded by the Federal Government’s Black Spot Program), Stewart Street renewal from William to Gunn Streets ($405,000) are the major transport projects while the $1 million Oldaker Street (eastern end) stormwater catchment is the main stormwater project.
Cr Rockliff said the coming financial year promised to be an active time in Devonport with early work having begun on the privately funded $40 million hotel development on the corner of Best and Rooke Streets, a continuation of the LIVING CITY masterplan strategy.
The Waterfront Park is a $15 million construction project which will be two-thirds funded by a $10 million Federal Government grant.
Cr Rockliff also said Council had to factor into its Budget a 5.14% increase in the State Fire Levy. “Ratepayers need to remember this is a State Government charge, and one which Council is required to collect and forward directly to them.”
Cr Rockliff said the Budget would ensure Devonport remains in a strong position while continuing to provide value for money for ratepayers and deliver on an exciting plan for the future.
Council will hold an Information Session from 5:00 pm on Wednesday, 12 June in the Aberdeen Room, paranaple centre, 137 Rooke Street, Devonport, which is open to all interested residents and ratepayers.
It will formally consider the adoption of its 2019/20 budget at its meeting on Monday 24 June 2019.
