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City of Fremantle budget adopted

RESPONSIBLE financial management has seen the City of Fremantle adopt its 2008-09 budget with a modest surplus of $150,000, following Wednesday night's council meeting.

City of Fremantle Chief Executive Officer Graeme Mackenzie said the City’s financial position was strong and the $67 million cash total budget (including both recurrent and non-current costs) was an investment in the future of Fremantle.

“It’s part of further improving quality of life through economic growth, generating investment and helping to secure our long-term fiscal health,” he said.

“Our budget shows how the allocation of limited resources in an efficient and effective manner can provide outcomes expected by the community – we remain well-placed to meet challenges in the future.

“The City of Fremantle has maintained financial stability through careful management, while capitalising on opportunities, and we need to maintain this position through strong discipline and continued planning.”

Mr Mackenzie said the general rate increase of 6.0 per cent and minimum rate increase to $785 helped to cover the expected WALGA Local Cost Index of 5.0 per cent, matched with an additional 1.0 per cent to allow for various costs increases and an above Consumer Price Index increase for waste management.

“The rate increase is moderate compared to other councils across the metropolitan area and the rest of the state,” he said. “It’s also worth remembering that local government is being asked to deliver more and more as a result of cost-shifting from other levels of government.”

Some key projects given a budget allocation for 2008-09 include:
• $3 million on upgrades and maintenance to roads and streets.
• About $1.3 million on heritage conservation works for the Fremantle Arts Centre ($1.23 million) and Gil Fraser Grandstand ($61,500).
• A $1 million upgrade to Fremantle PCYC in Hilton.
• A footpath works program, worth $800,000, and $70,000 for bus shelter replacement.
• $560,000 to partly-fund the CAT bus service, which is shared with the State Government.
• The final stage of restoration works on Victoria Hall, included as a carryover project from last year, worth about $500,000.
• $500,000 to deliver marketing and promotional services for the City of Fremantle, taking over Fremantle First from the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce. Half of this will come from a differential rate applied to commercial properties in the City Centre Zone, Fishing Boat Harbour and Victoria Quay.
• Initial consideration of the Fremantle Markets Conservation Plan, worth $250,000, beginning with structural and engineering surveys, then a schedule of works.
• The second stage of the CCTV program, worth $250,000.
• $219,000 to steam-clean inner CBD paths every second month to improve the look and cleanliness of the city.
• $150,000 for equipment and projects at the Fremantle Leisure Centre and $50,000 for the South Beach pontoon.
• A $145,000 billabong at Booyeembara Park and sustainability initiatives worth $100,000.
• The FreoStar bus service to the eastern suburbs of Fremantle will continue ($100,000).
• $35,000 for the Knutsford Street East Drainage Plan, $50,000 for the South Beach Master Plan, $75,000 to start the South Fremantle Landfill Site structure plan and $35,000 for a Lefroy Road master planning and feasibility study.
• Parking notice boards ($50,000) for north and south entrances to the City of Fremantle, advising of parking vacancies at major off-street parking locations.

“This budget provides the minimum requirement from the community to fund all of the projects and services provided, ensuring a good quality of life for our residents and ratepayers.” Mr Mackenzie said.

“The City of Fremantle has worked hard in the development of this budget to minimise the impact on ratepayers and I believe we have come up with a package that addresses the many challenges for local government, using our resources wisely.”