Budget and Rates Newsletter 2020/21

More projects on page 2

Mayor’s messageIn framing the budget, the City had two goals. The first was to reduce the financial burden on all ratepayers. The second was to stimulate the local economy. I am delighted to say this budget achieves both goals.

In terms of rates, the budget includes various concessions to ensure that your total rates bill will not be more than last year’s bill, so long as you made no major addition or alteration to your property.

This has been achieved through freezing the minimum general rate, reducing the rubbish charge and a general reduction in the Emergency Services Levy.

These measures come at a cost, with rate revenue to be reduced by $1.5 million from last financial year. However sound financial management has put the City in good stead to manage this challenge.

In terms of the economy, a $33 million capital works program has been developed to stimulate activity. This is $14 million more

than was originally planned before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Details of this comprehensive road and community infrastructure program, which aims to keep businesses and trades operating, are outlined in this newsletter.

The key projects include a $1.9 million upgrade to Spencer Road from Hume Road to Regal Drive in Thornlie; $5.4 million for the new Thornlie Community and Sports Hub; $2.6 million to extend Brabourne Street in Maddington; $2 million for new all-ability play equipment at five parks; $1.1 million to widen Warton Road in Canning Vale, between Ranford Road and Arion Avenue; and $1 million to make the Gosnells Town Square a more interactive community space.

Physical distancing restrictions have changed how the City delivers its regular services and programs and although we can’t prepare, with certainty, for large annual events

like Run-A-Muck, the Fusion Food and Culture Festival or the Illuminate Night Party, we are determined to ensure residents don’t miss opportunities to come together and celebrate our community.

I encourage you to keep up-to-date via the City’s eNewsletters, website or by following us on social media.My fellow Councillors and I are here to help, so please contact us if you would like to discuss any issues.

We look forward to delivering these exciting projects while reducing our rates income in 2020/21.

David Goode JP Mayor

This year’s budget has been designed to respond aggressively to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Major infrastructureprojects plannedfor 2020/21The City will drive economic growth through increased funding on road and community infrastructure projects to manage the financial fallout of the Coronavirus pandemic.

An extra $14 million on the previous financial year’s budget will boost the 2020/21 capital works budget to $33 million, with the development of community parks, facilities and road safety projects receiving priority.

This funding increase will be delivered through reserve and grant funds, rather than increased rates.

Parks and Environment • $2 million for all-ability play equipment and universal playgrounds in Canning Vale, Maddington, Langford, Huntingdale and Thornlie.

• $2 million to improve park equipment, including shelters, playgrounds, kerbing, paths, replacement of soft fall (rubber or sand) and limestone walls.• $62,000 as part of a five-year plan to improve boardwalks at Boardwalk Estate, Southern River.• $183,000 for lighting at Thornlie, Maddington and Gosnells skate parks.

• $78,000 to upgrade barbecues, walking trails and boardwalk replacement at Ellis Brook Reserve.

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A number of measures have been introduced to support residents, ratepayers and businesses during this COVID-19 pandemic to assist in our community’s economic recovery, including:• Expanded Meals on Wheels service, to assist more local,

vulnerable residents using Federal Government funding.• A relief package of $150,000 to assist hirers and lessees

significantly impacted by facility closures, including waiving fees for ground hire.

• A freeze on fees and charges for 2020/21 financial year.• City Officers reassigned to Business Station in Gosnells to provide

support to local small businesses. • Lease fees waived on the City’s commercial properties.• Webchat launched to deliver additional customer service online.• Trainee and apprenticeship opportunities developed to provide

young people with new employment pathways at the City.

Thornlie Community and Sports Hub RedevelopmentA $5.4 million redevelopment of the Thornlie Community and Sports Hub will improve facilities for current and future users of Thornlie Bowling Club and Thornlie Tennis Club, as well as the wider community.This project has been in development since 2014, when the bowling club began looking into possible options to upgrade its current facility.Plans evolved into a hub development to include new purpose-built facilities for both clubs, with hire space for community functions.The hub project is jointly funded by the City of Gosnells, the Federal Government, Lotterywest and Thornlie Bowling Club.

Spencer Road Improvement Project – Stage 2This $1.9 million project involves significant safety upgrades for motorists and pedestrians between Hume Road and Regal Drive. It is based on a modified design, which was developed following a road design safety audit and community consultation from August to November in 2019.The design option that was supported by the community maintains a service road on both sides of Spencer Road, while improving the current layout. The service road along Crestwood Estate will be retained to enable alternative access points along Spencer Road, while allowing residents to travel within the estate without having to use Spencer Road.For information on current City infrastructure projects, please visit www.yoursay.gosnells.wa.gov.au.

Major Roads

• $4 million for road surfacing throughout the City.• $2.6 million for Brabourne Street, to connect sections from Weston Street to The Crescent in Maddington.• $1.9 million as the first part of a two-year upgrade of Spencer Road, Thornlie, from Hume Road to Regal Drive to improve safety and enhance the service road to Crestwood Estate and other residential areas. The project will also involve installation of underground power, improved street lighting, pedestrian facilities and bus stop accessibility.• $1.1 million to widen Warton Road in Canning Vale between Ranford Road and Arion Avenue, along with an intersection upgrade at Ranford Road.• $940,000 for the first part of a two-year project to widen Burslem Drive between Attfield Street and Olga Road, Maddington. The project will improve streetscaping, safety and reduce traffic congestion.• $836,000 for road construction in Vermouth Promenade, Maddington.• $692,000 intersection upgrade to a roundabout at William Street, Camberwell Street and Bickley Road intersection, as well as realignment of Bickley Road.Community Facilities

• $5.4 million for a new Thornlie Community and Sports Hub, including new facilities for Thornlie Bowling Club, Thornlie Tennis Club and the wider community.• $1 million for improvements at Gosnells Town Square, including lighting and landscaping.• $732,000 to extend the shared path along Railway Parade in Beckenham, from William Street to Carmichael Street.• $201,000 for path network improvements across the City.• $117,000 to improve public areas and entrances to The Agonis building.• $45,000 to improve conference facilities at Mills Park.

Major infrastructure projects planned for 2020/21 continued...

Community, business support

Infrastructure highlights

Design concept – Thornlie Bowling Club

Sale of assets $3.3m

Rates Minimum rate Rate in the dollarGeneral GRV1 $980.00 7.419¢Rural GRV $980.00 8.903¢Extractive Industry $980.00 14.096¢Town Centre $980.00 8.532¢Tenancy Agreements $980.00 7.919¢Rural UV2 $980.00 0.2893¢Rural UV Agricultural Concession $980.00 0.2314¢

Specified Area Rates for Estates Rate in the dollarBletchley Park 0.7333¢ Brookland Greens 0.5373¢ Sanctuary Waters 0.5477¢ The Avenues 0.5602¢The Boardwalk 0.3975¢The Reserve 0.3056¢

Additional chargesRefuse and recycling charge $340.00Swimming pool inspection fee $35.00

The table below shows the rate in the dollar and the minimum rate for different types of land in 2020/21.

1GRV: Gross Rental Value 2UV: Unimproved Value

These specified area rates are in addition to the General GRV rate outlined in the top table

Rates

Budget outgoings

Arts and culture

$7$6 $7$3

$5$2

$21

$12

$4

$22

$1

Corporate governance

Community laws, public safety and health

Community programs

City planning and environmental management Waste

Community facilities

Sports, parks and recreation

facilities

Community welfare

Roads

Economic development and building

control

Areas of expenditure for every $100 Council receives:

State Government Emergency

Services Levy

$10

Waste collection $16.8m

Budget revenueOperating revenue sourcesRates

Federal assistance grants $4.2m

$69.4m

Grants, subsidies and contributions $15.7m

Interest and other revenue $4.1m

$8.9mStatutory and user fees and charges

Budget information 2020/21Your rates help the City to deliver the wide range of services available to you.The amount you pay is calculated by multiplying the Gross Rental Value or Unimproved Value of your property by the rate in the dollar set by Council. Gross Rental Value is a valuation of your property, determined by the State Government’s Valuer General, as an estimate of the rental income you would receive if the property was rented for one year.Unimproved Value is also determined by the Valuer General and is based on the value of undeveloped land.Rate in the dollar is set by Council to ensure sufficient income is received to enable continued service delivery to the community. Minimum rate is the default amount paid, regardless of property value.Emergency Services Levy is a State Government charge. The City is required to collect these fees and pass all of the revenue on to the State Government.Refuse and recycling charge covers the cost of rubbish and recycling collection and disposal.

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1 Bonus prize draw for ratepayersWin one of two Westpac Reward Saver Accounts valued at $2,000 and $1,500 or one of five $1,000 cash prizes, courtesy of the City of Gosnells. There’s no need to fill out an entry form. Just pay your rates in full by Friday 4 September 2020 and you’ll automatically go in the draw – it’s that easy! Terms and Conditions: Winners are chosen by random computer selection. Councillors and employees of the City and their immediate families, and employees of Westpac and their immediate families, are ineligible to win. The decision by the City of Gosnells regarding the awarding of prizes is final and no debate will be entered into.

Ratepayers have the chance to win some great prizes

Payment options and rebatesDirect debit payment arrangementsThe easiest and most budget friendly way to pay your rates is with a weekly, fortnightly or four-weekly direct debit from your nominated bank account. The regular payment amount can be structured to suit your needs.To pay your rates the easy way, please submit an online form and view all the terms and conditions at www.gosnells.wa.gov.au.Contact the City if you would like assistance in determining your payment amount.

More options

Look on your Rate Notice for more details about payment options or rebates for pensioners and seniors.

If you are having difficulty in paying your rates, please contact us to make special arrangements.

Contact the City on 9397 3000 or visit www.gosnells.wa.gov.au for more information.

RIPPER RATESREFUND

WIN YOUR SHARE OF $7,000Thanks to the retailers at Forest Lakes Shopping Centre,

we’re offering four chances to WIN $1,000 paid toward yourCity of Gosnells 2020/21 rates bill.

If you have paid your rates in full before the draw date, you may be one of four lucky people who will also WIN $750 worth of shopping vouchers to spend at Forest Lakes Shopping Centre.

One winner will be drawn each Friday during the promotion period. Simply place your entry form in the barrel located outside the Centre Management Office at Forest Lakes Shopping Centre between 1 August 2020 and 4 September 2020 for a chance to

WIN one of the four prizes.

Ripper Rates Competition 2020/21Entry Form. Fill out this entry form and drop it in the barrel outsidethe Centre Management Office at Forest Lakes Shopping Centre,

Forest Lakes Drive, Thornlie. Full terms and conditions are availablefrom the Centre’s website at: www.forestlakessc.com.au

Name: ____________________________________________________

Contact Number: ___________________________________________

Property Address: __________________________________________

Postal Address: ____________________________________________

Email Address: _____________________________________________

Property Ref #:__________________ Rates Amount: $ ____________

Subscribe to an eNewsletter or follow us on social mediaDo you want to stay up-to-date with what’s going on in the City?Visit www.gosnells.wa.gov.au to sign up for an eNewsletter or follow us on social media at

City of Gosnells PO Box 662 Gosnells WA 6990

9397 3000

council@gosnells.wa.gov.au www.gosnells.wa.gov.au

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