Published on Monday, 28 June 2021 at 11:32:58 AM
As we return to normal operating conditions post Covid, there is a focus on investing in community facilities, maintaining and revitalising our parks and reserves and improving roads and cycle networks.
This financial year a 2.4% rate rise will apply to residential ratepayers with a zero percent rate rise for commercial ratepayers for the second year in a row.
This means the City of Vincent will continue to be a low rating Council.
Vincent will be extending its rates smoothing payments and financial hardship support this year for residents and ratepayers who need it most.
Mayor Emma Cole said as we continue to rebound from the impacts of COVID-19, this year’s budget was about investing in our core community infrastructure.
“We strive to make Vincent a special place to be with vibrant town centres, safer roads and leafy neighbourhoods,” she said.
“A more sustainable future and a better-connected community remain our ultimate goal, but getting the basics right is fundamental to the work that we do.
“This financial year we will invest more than ever on our roads, bike and pedestrian networks and core infrastructure whilst working towards 40kph on our residential streets.”
A record $22M capital works program includes $7.8M upgrades to improve roads, footpaths, parks and playgrounds across Vincent.
Our much-loved Beatty Park will undergo a $2.1M makeover and Litis Stadium at Britannia Reserve will receive $3M in Federal Government funding to update change rooms and facilities.
Menzies Park Pavilion will receive a $330,000 refurbishment and $300,000 will be spent at North Perth Town Hall for two new kitchens and three bathrooms.
Lighting up our reserves is also on the agenda, with Britannia Reserve, Hyde Park and Charles Veryard all receiving funds for floodlight upgrades.
Improving lighting at our parks will extend evening use of green space for recreation whilst allowing our local sporting teams to train at night.
“We are really excited to be rolling out the FOGO 3 bin system, which will be one of the biggest, most positive changes at the door step of our residents in recent years."
From October this year, Vincent revolutionises the way we dispose of waste with the rollout of the three-bin Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) service to 16,500 households.
In addition, we will be trialling Verge Valet from January 2022, which allows community members to book in their junk collections at a time that is convenient for them.
“This financial year, we also take our community engagement to the next level, with the establishment of a community engagement panel and deeper conversations on proposed projects and the future of our assets,’’ Mayor Emma Cole said.
“We will also strive to make greater inroads on reconciliation and share our knowledge of Vincent’s Aboriginal heritage.”
Vincent will also spend $300,000 on increasing our tree canopy cover this year and Robertson Park upgrades will commence with multi-use sports courts for tennis, netball and basketball. Highlights of Vincent’s 2021/22 budget;
- Rollout of three-bin FOGO service & trial of Verge Valet bulk waste collection - $1.4M
- Upgrades to roads, footpaths, paths and playgrounds - $7M
- Litis Stadium at Britannia Reserve - New changerooms and facilities - $3M (Federal Government funding)
- Beatty Park makeover (which will include a new water playground for the kids, fresh pool tiling, Aboriginal art, new universal changerooms on the deck level and half a million dollars on water-proofing the heritage grandstand - $2.1M
- Britannia Reserve floodlight repairs - $740,000 (Including $491,000 Federal Government funding)
- North Perth Town Hall – Two new kitchens and three bathrooms - $300,000
- Menzies Park Pavilion refurbishments to kiosk, change rooms and toilets 330,000
- Hyde Park lighting upgrades - $90,000
- Charles Veryard Reserve floodlight upgrades - $100,000
- Town Centre Public Art $370,000 (Funded through developer contributions)
- Sponsored community events $199,000
- Hardship financial fund for ratepayers in need $100,000
- Increased tree canopy cover
- Improved public open space planning at Robertson Park, Axford Park, Woodville Reserve and Banks Reserve
- Implementation of the Community Engagement Framework
- Vincent Rebound Plan continues, with a focus on revitalising our town centres
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