City of Albany annual report 2023-24 reveals snapshot of residents, visitors and milestones of the year

Interesting statistics about the people and goings-on of Albany have been revealed in the City’s annual report, set to be confirmed at Thursday’s electors meeting. There are currently just under 41,000 people living in the city with a median age of 45, seven years older than the national average, the report on the City of Albany’s 2023-24 financial year reveals. More than 500 new residents have been welcomed to town since, with this population increase supported by the construction of an additional 485 homes. The unemployment rate increased only by 1.1 per cent to 3.9 per cent, just below the national average of 4 per cent. Albany firefighters battled 17 bushfires, the largest being the Green Range fire in February 2024 that razed 7400ha. City rangers responded to 107 dog attacks complaints, 127 reports of straying stock on local roads, and 1393 customer service complaints while the Save Our Snake-Necked Turtles citizen science program managed to save 289 animals. In the realm of transport, the report revealed Albany Regional Airport hosted more than 62,000 passengers and the port saw more than 14,660 passengers disembark from 12 cruise ships. There was a remarkable decrease in fly-in, fly-out passengers, with 43 per cent fewer coming through the airport than the 10,542 reported in 2022-23. Three new roundabouts were constructed, including the long-heralded Sanford/North Road roundabout, swelling the city’s number to 57. Statistics in the waste services section revealed residents managed to send 4395 tonnes of green waste for composting, recycle 2020 tonnes of waste (mainly mixed paper and cardboard), and send 5370 tonnes of rubbish to landfill. Significant moments on the calendar included surveying community sentiment on extended retail hours, finalising the City of Albany Industrial Agreement 2023, the filming of major feature films We Bury The Dead and Frederickstown in town, securing funding for the Albany 2026 bicentenary, and the completion of the $215 million Albany Ring Road/Menang Drive. Mayor Greg Stocks was sworn in to replace long-serving mayor Dennis Wellington, and the council welcomed the new faces of Lynn MacLaren, Mario Lionetti and Craig McKinley. “As I present my first annual report as mayor of Albany, I am filled with pride and gratitude for the progress and achievements our city has made this year,” Mr Stocks said. “Our community has shown resilience, enthusiasm, and a shared vision for a brighter future, which has driven us to accomplish significant milestones. “I look forward to continuing our journey towards a vibrant and prosperous Albany.” The 132-page document was prepared on December 18 and received by City of Albany councillors on February 6. It will be confirmed at the annual electors’ meeting at 6pm at Council Chambers on North Road.