Annual budget delivers rate relief

At the very end of June, Council approved a budget that supports ratepayers across the City by ensuring that their rates will be the same or less than last year’s amount. With the pandemic putting a financial strain on many households, we have also introduced new flexible payment options and removed interest and instalment fees for rates this financial year.

The budget includes a $43.7 million Economic Stimulus and Community Recovery Package that focuses on financial relief for ratepayers, business and activation, community and capital investment. Along with delivering this year’s rate freeze, the stimulus package gets behind small businesses by offering rent reductions and new programs aimed at boosting revenue. It also sets funds aside to support local community groups and to move ahead with a range of capital works projects in an effort to boost jobs in related industries.

With City of Stirling Chief Executive Officer Stuart Jardine

Another important aspect of the budget is that we will maintain our debt-free policy, and there are no provisions to borrow funds in 2020/21. Council will be reviewing services and budgets in October to make any necessary refinements that allow us to continue supporting the community through the recovery phase of the pandemic.

While this latest budget goes some way to easing the financial pressure on ratepayers, we understand the difficulties many people are facing and encourage you to reach out for support. With the new flexible options now available for rates payments, we’ll help however we can.

Some talented artists recently added lots of colour to a mix of locations across the community after we unveiled a series of new murals. The vibrant murals at the Mirrabooka Community Hub, Karrinyup Library, Scarborough Community Hub and Mount Flora Museum were commissioned to create a sense of community and reflect their surroundings. The projects have also supported local artists during a time that has proved hugely challenging for many creative businesses.

A look at the new mural at the Mirrabooka Hub

Coastal Ward Councillors Karen Caddy and Felicity Farrelly recently met with artist Peter Ryan who created the stunning new murals at Karrinyup Library. The Councillors were impressed with the whimsical works on the exterior of the library facing Davenport Street and in the library’s foyer as well as the story behind them. Next time you visit these locations, make sure to keep an eye out for these inspiring new works.

Cr Karen Caddy and Cr Felicity Farrelly with artist Peter Ryan at Karrinyup Library

It was great to meet the recipients of the City’s History and Heritage Awards in person after we announced the winners during an online ceremony earlier this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Mount Flora Museum in North Beach proved a fitting spot to honour people of all ages from across the community who have gone to great lengths to preserve or promote local history. Please click here for more details about all the winners and runner-up entrants in this year’s awards.

With Youth Entry Award Winner Livia Mangione

One of our bigger projects taking shape at Princess Wallington Reserve in Balga now has a new name. After an online poll, the community voted in favour of the parkland area to be known as Bina Parkland. The Noongar word for ‘light of the morning’, the name Bina was put forward by students from the nearby Warriapendi Primary School in Balga.

A look at a BMX track taking shape at Bina Parkland

Set to reach completion in mid-2021, the overall $6.2 million community parkland project will deliver a skate facility, BMX tracks, multi-court sports area, walking trails, picnic areas and much more. The parkland’s skate facility will ultimately offer a beginner street section, central transition and hybrid zone as well as an open half pipe, which proved a hugely popular feature during the community consultation stage. Lotterywest has contributed $2.34 million to the project via community sponsorship.

Another big scale project in the works is the redevelopment of the Recycling Centre Balcatta, which is expected to start construction by late 2021. The revamp will update many outdated aspects of the existing facility and deliver a more efficient service to the community so we can maximise our resource recovery efforts. The project will ultimately reshape the facility into three distinct areas – a new Free Community Drop-Off section, a Paid and Pass Community Drop-Off area and a new Waste Transfer Station.

To ensure that the new Recycling Centre Balcatta is a great resource for the community into the future, we are currently seeking feedback on the concept design plan. We hope to get your thoughts on how customers interact with the facility, their expectations for a new facility and any suggestions to improve the draft plan. Please click here for more information about the project and to have your say. Submissions close on Saturday 18 July 2020.