Published on Thursday, 28 July 2022 at 9:13:44 AM

Following Council’s recent adoption of its four-year Corporate Business Plan, the Annual Budget was also adopted at its meeting on July 27.

The budget will see a 4 per cent rate revenue increase equating to an average increase of $82 for residential properties.

Dardanup Shire President Mick Bennett said he was proud Council had resisted implementing a higher rates increase in 2022/23 despite cost pressures associated with the decision to freeze increases during earlier stages of the Covid pandemic and the highest rates of inflation in more than 10 years.

“The Shire of Dardanup is absorbing a lot of the cost increases we are experiencing to help buffer our community for a little longer from the financial pressures we know everyone is dealing with at the moment from the supermarket checkout to the fuel pump,” Cr Bennett said.

“We feel comfortable that a 4% increase strikes an appropriate balance between understanding and accommodating our community’s financial pressures while still being able to deliver on many of the projects and facilities identified as priorities during extensive consultations over the past 18 months.”

Projects being undertaken in the 2022/23 financial year to maintain, upgrade or replace ageing infrastructure will be done so at an increased cost due to spikes in the cost of labour and materials.

“Despite the challenges, we have every reason to remain optimistic given our WA economy is continuing to experience strong growth which is a really positive sign for our future,” Cr Bennett said.

Among highlighted projects listed for attention in 2022/23 are:

$17.3 million – New buildings including:

• Commence the Shire of Dardanup new Library, Administration and Community Building;
• Complete Charlotte Street, Dardanup Public Toilets;
• Upgrades and improvements to Burekup Hall, Burekup CWA Hall & Dardanup Hall;
• Eaton Recreation Centre Stage 2 upgrades;
• Commence R&J Fishwick Pavilion at Eaton Oval, Pratt Road;
• New Wells Park Recreation Pavilion in Dardanup;
• Upgrades and improvements to Volunteer Bushfire Brigade Facilities for Joshua/Crooked Brook, Dardanup Central and Upper Ferguson.

$4.2 million – Roads, bridges, pathways and drainage upgrades, renewals and maintenance.

• Ferguson Road upgrade – Stage 1;
• Peninsula Lakes intersection upgrade;
• Pratt Road modification;
• Glen Huon Boulevard – Eaton Drive intersection upgrade;
• Pile Road renewal works.

$845,000 – Parks & Reserves upgrades and expansions including:

• Dardanup Civic Precinct;
• Eaton Foreshore landscaping;
• Glen Huon Oval landscaping;
• New East Millbridge Playground;
• New playground equipment for Cadell & Lofthouse parks.

$472,254 - Community Grants, Donations and Events

• Events and Festivals including Spring Out, EnLighten and Summer in Your Park Series;
• Economic Development Initiatives;
• Bunbury Geographe Economic Alliance;
• Bunbury Geographe Tourism Partnership;
• Ferguson Valley Marketing & Promotions Inc;
• Public Art Projects including Gnomesville;
• Minor Community Grants Scheme;
• Tourism & Events Grants - Bull & Barrel Festival, Eaton Foreshore Festival, and Dardanup Arts Spectacular;
• Club and Capacity Building Workshops and Activities;
• Library Programs;
• Youth Development programs;
• Minor/Community Events Assistance;

Are you experiencing financial hardship?

Council has established a COVID-19 Financial Hardship Policy for Rates and Sundry Debtors.

The policy was designed to assist community members directly impacted by COVID-19 (Coronavirus) by offering some measures of relief around the payment of rates and sundry debtor accounts.

In addition to this policy, the Shire of Dardanup continues to offer flexible payment arrangements on rates notices.

Community members who would like to discuss payment options with a friendly member of our Rates Team, can phone us on 9724 0000

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