(27/6/2019) Budget 2019-20: Fremantle delivers on commitment to keep rates low

The City of Fremantle is honouring its commitment to keep rates low while also delivering the once-in-a-generation Kings Square Renewal project to inject new life into Fremantle’s civic heart.

Fremantle Council last night adopted the 2019-20 annual budget, which included an average general rate increase of 1.8 per cent.

The budget also features continued investment in the Kings Square Renewal project, which includes the City of Fremantle’s new civic centre and library and upgrades to the public spaces around the square.

Other budget highlights include construction of the Fremantle Park Sports and Community Centre and the roll-out of the new three-bin Food Organic Garden Organic (FOGO) waste management system.

Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt said the modest rate increase continued the trend set over the previous two budgets to keep rate rises low.

“The 1.8 per cent increase adopted in the 2019-20 budget is the second lowest rate increase since 2000,” Mayor Pettitt said.

“In fact, the three smallest rate increases over the past 20 years have been delivered in the past three budgets.

“The 1.8 per cent increase in this budget aligns with the Local Government Cost Index prepared by the WA Local Government Association.

“Although it is higher than the Consumer Price Index for WA, CPI is not an accurate reflection of local government costs.

“WALGA’s Local Government Cost Index takes into account CPI as well as more specific costs like electricity and street lighting, which have gone up by 5.8 per cent in the past year.

“The fact that we can deliver a transformational development the scale of the Kings Square Renewal project while also keeping rate increases low is a testament to the City’s sound management and prudent financial planning.” 

Residents are encouraged to register to receive rate issued electronically and to pay bills online. Visit the e-rates page on the City’s website to find out more.

Total budget expenditure is $130.1 million, including $56.6 million in capital expenditure. The 2019-20 budget contains a small cash surplus of $30,000.

Full details of the City of Fremantle’s 2019-20 budget are available on the City’s website.

For more information on the Kings Square Renewal Project visit the Kings Square Fremantle website, or watch this video:

2019-20 budget highlights New civic centre and library building - $44 millionKings Square public realm - $2 millionDesign of Kings Square play space - $110,000Fremantle Park Sports and Community Centre - $3.2 millionFremantle Park car park - $350,000Road improvements - $1.75 millionSafe City CCTV final stage - $691,000Purchase of FOGO bins - $300,000Fremantle Markets conservation works - $230,000Hilton Park floodlight upgrade - $200,000Frank Gibson Park play space - $120,000