Items including the adoption of the Strategic Community Plan (SCP) and the Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP), were on the agenda, with the SCP securing the Council’s commitment to the strategic direction for achieving the community’s vision over next few years, and the LTFP outlining the City’s approach for achieving its key objective of addressing its City’s asset sustainability ratio.
Additionally, the 2021/2022 Annual Budget, which was prepared after taking into consideration the City’s Strategic Community Plan, Long Term Financial Plan and other informing plans, was also adopted.
The City once again took a conservative approach to its budget preparations for the financial year, following a zero percent rate increase last year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, by factoring a two per cent average rates increase this year for most residential properties in the City of Kwinana.
The Strategic Community Plan and the informing documents were developed after extensive community engagement as part of the Love My Kwinana campaign, which was undertaken across the City in two phases over the past year. Over 1,800 community members had input into these plans through differing forums, which helped to identify clear community priorities of: conservation and environment; access to goods and services; character and identity; playgrounds, parks and reserves; and safety and security.
Mayor Carol Adams said the items adopted at Council were of significant importance to helping set Kwinana on the right path towards achieving the priorities identified by the community though the engagement process for the Strategic Community Plan.
“There were three key projects developed as an outcome of the Strategic Community Plan engagement with the community. The upgrade of the Kwinana Loop Trail, reinstatement of the community events budget and the introduction of a Healthy Kwinana initiative,” she said.
“Following last year’s zero percent increase to rates revenue, the City is mindful that the community is still recovering and is endeavouring to keep rate increases to a minimum. However, costs have risen, and to enable the City to successfully implement these plans, the City has increased rates two per cent for the majority of residential properties and committed to finding efficiencies and saving across the organisation.
“This allows the City to deliver on these key commitments to the Community, while continuing to provide the same level of service, and remain financially sustainable,” she said.
The City is committed to supporting residents who are facing financial difficulty at any time, not just during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have developed a fair and supportive hardship policy, and will work with all ratepayers to determine the best means possible of ensuring they meet their financial obligations.
The Strategic Community Plan, the Long Term Financial Plan, the 2021/2022 Budget and the informing documents being simultaneously presented to Council are a result of an improved integration between the City’s key informing documents. This alignment aims to provide a clear plan for the future of the City, backed by financial resources, to ensure the aspirations identified by the community for the area are achieved.
Further to the items outlined, the City of Kwinana Social Strategy 2021-2025, the City’s Engagement Policy and Framework, Corporate Business Plan, Infrastructure Strategy and the Workforce Plan were also adopted at Council.
To view the minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting – June 23 visit www.kwinana.wa.gov.au/minutesandagendas.
Key Highlights of the 2021/22 Budget
- $4.4 million in upgrades to roads including the Wellard Road duplication project.
- Upgrades to Kwinana South Fire Station using grants provided by DFES.
- Continuation of a pavilion at the Honeywood Primary School Oval funded by the Developer Contribution Scheme and a $400,000 grant from the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF).
- $405,000 towards the City’s street tree program.
- $2.29 million for support for young people via The Zone.
- $2.1 million for expansion for a range of safety and security initiatives including the expansion of CCTV coverage.
- Ongoing support for local businesses worth $637,000.
- Upgrade of the Kwinana Loop Trail to cost $700,000 with $300,000 from the City and $400,000 in grants.
- Reinstatements of the Community Events budget of $380,000.
- The introduction of the Healthy Kwinana initiative with $144,000 in funding.