Kwinana rates decided

Kwinana homeowners will pay an additional 5.45 per cent in rates in the new financial year, starting July 1.

Kwinana Town Council adopted the new rates at a special Budget meeting last Wednesday, June 29.

Rates will generate $24.1 million which, according to Mayor Carol Adams, represent only 23 per cent of budgeted annual expenditure.

The remainder, mainly for capital works, will be made up from grants and contributions (33 per cent), reserve funds (12 per cent) and loan funding (15 per cent).

Casuarina Wellard Progress Association treasurer J i l l Sheridan welcomed the modest rates rise, describing i t as ‘‘excellent’’.

Prior to deciding the new rates, Cr Adams said, several councillor workshops were held to try to strike a rates rise that would provide sufficient funds to see through to completion projects undertaken and promised, while trying to ensure the burden was not too onerous.

‘‘Over the next financial year, the townwill officially open some of the most ground-breaking facilities in our history and will commence and continue with projects and services that will help Kwinana prepare for the massive residential growth currently being experienced,’’ she said.

‘‘The Kwinana town centre, in particular, will continue to thrive in the 2011-2012 financial year, consolidating Kwinana as one of WA’s most up and coming communities.’’

This staged major project will continue over the next few years.

It is being funded through a $6 million State Government grant and the town through land sales income and loan borrowings.

Mrs Sheridan said a rates rise was inevitable because of the development being undertaken in the area, but described the latest rates rise as acceptable.

‘‘We have one of the smallest councils around and have shunned proposals to join with other councils, and this (modest rates rise) is a good reason to keep smaller councils,’’ she said.

‘‘They provide us with flexibility.’’