Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams said that the budget reflects the City’s commitment to a zero net increase in differential rates and fees and charges due to financial hardship arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As a Council we have been faced with some tough decisions in the last few months, due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mayor Adams said.
“The City is committed to ensuring families who are doing it tough are impacted minimally, but we also have a duty to our community to assist recovery from the economic consequences of this pandemic.”
“We are doing this by ensuring that we support jobs growth, education opportunities and crisis support at this critical time,” she said.
Council had previously resolved to freeze increases to fees and charges, reduce the interest rates on unpaid rates and to introduce a financial hardship policy.
“Our hardship policy had been in development since late last year so we are really pleased to be able to introduce it at such a vital time for our community,” Mayor Adams said.
In order to produce a balanced budget, the City has implemented a variety of cost savings, including holding a number of staff vacancies, the avoidance of any salary or wage increase in 2020/21, reduced events and programming and some reduced hours to services.
“We are taking direction from the State Government’s ‘call to arms’ and ensuring that we continue to invest in infrastructure projects, preserve employment, and to manage local social and economic recovery at this time,” Mayor Adams said.
“We are also ensuring that our valued community groups continue to access funding opportunities for important events such as the historically significant ANZAC Day memorial and our beloved annual Lolly Run,” she said.