Published on Wednesday, 6 July 2022 at 4:45:00 PM
The City of Vincent is preparing for underground power across all its suburbs, with Council last night adopting a budget that includes a rolling fund for power projects.
A 7.6 per cent rate rise will apply to residential and commercial ratepayers in 2022/23, with 2.1 per cent going towards a rolling underground power fund for current and future projects.
The City has already secured underground power for a third of households at a price not seen in decades due to Western Power’s proposed Network Renewal Undergrounding Program (NRUP) which targets areas that are due for new or upgraded network infrastructure.
Western Power is working with the City on another five underground power projects that cover parts of Perth, Highgate, Mount Hawthorn, North Perth, Leederville and West Perth as part of the future NRUP.
It is expected the new projects will cover the bulk of Vincent. Specific maps that outline the five areas are being finalised by Western Power and will be released when a Memorandum of Understanding is signed.
NRUP targets areas of the overhead network with a higher number of assets that are due, or becoming due, for replacement. Western Power will contribute the amount that would have been spent on replacing, augmenting and maintaining overhead assets in the absence of undergrounding.
By setting up a rolling fund, the City will be able to offer residents longer payback periods for underground power projects in Vincent.
“Our community has told us they want underground power, and now we have a golden opportunity to see it rolled out across Vincent in an affordable way,” said Mayor Emma Cole.
“Tree canopy will flourish, power will be more reliable and our streets will be safer and more walkable.
“We will also get new light poles with LED lighting that will transform our streets.”
The 2022/23 Budget focuses on long-term sustainability, paying down debt and increasing our asset maintenance to meet the asset renewal ratio required by the Department of Local Government.
It responds to the challenges the City has faced during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including a $4.7 million loss in revenue and a staff salary freeze in 2020/21.
It will also help the City tackle inflation pressures that are driving up the costs of projects, materials, wages and insurance.
The City’s capital works program will continue to focus on basic maintenance, asset renewal and parks.
Vincent is one of Perth’s lowest rating Councils and the rates increase equates to $2 a week, or $104 a year, for the median household.
People who use City-owned car parks will pay a nominal fee of $1 for the first hour of parking from September, a change that will spread the cost burden of providing services between ratepayers and visitors.
The City initially proposed a reduction in the free parking period from one hour to 30 minutes, but the recommendation changed in response to community feedback.
The impact of the nominal fee will be monitored and a report will be prepared for Council in April.
“For two years our focus has been on keeping rate rises to an absolute minimum and supporting our most vulnerable community members during the pandemic,” said Mayor Cole.
“We now have three big issues to focus on – inflation and rising costs, the maintenance of our ageing assets and the amazing opportunity we have to roll out underground power.
“This budget will help us approach these financial headwinds responsibly and focus on long-term sustainability.”
Capital projects of note
Roads, drainage, footpaths, parks and playgrounds $6.3 million
Beatty Park Leisure Centre, including change room upgrades and heritage grandstand electrical work $2.2 million
New multi-sport courts at Robertson Park, including netball $232,000 ($100,000 grants, $132,000 municipal funded)
Mount Hawthorn youth skate space $230,000 ($200,000 grant funded)
Returning Haynes Street Reserve to park with play equipment and other facilities $340,000 (funded by the sale of the adjoining car park)
Banks Reserve toilets $200,000
Public artwork for William Street and Leederville $162,500 (paid for by developer contributions)
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