Council’s 2024/25 Budget puts community first

Bayswater Council has adopted a budget that considers the current economic environment and supports those most impacted by the soaring cost of living.

Council’s 2024/25 Budget puts community first
Jun 26 2024

Bayswater Council last night adopted a budget that considers the current economic environment and supports those most impacted by the soaring cost of living.  

Mayor Filomena Piffaretti said as the level of government closest to the people, Council was aware the decisions they make impact people’s everyday lives in many ways.

“Last night, Council adopted a budget that delivers the high-quality services our community rely on, and maintains the assets we all use every day,” she said.

“The introduction of differential rates this year has allowed the City to distribute rates based on land use, which is a more fair and equitable way. It also means Council has been able to keep the rate increase for residential property owners to 3.8% which is aligned with CPI. This was a deliberate decision by Council to protect those who are most impacted by the soaring cost of living – families, seniors, young people and those living alone. 

“In this budget, the City will continue to maintain its more than $1.1 billion worth of assets. This includes 460 kilometres of local roads, 190 buildings including three recreation centres, three libraries, two community centres and a raft of community halls and clubrooms that more than 150 local community and sporting clubs call home. We will also continue to maintain over 180 parks, ovals and open spaces, complete with playgrounds, picnic areas, lighting and barbecue facilities. 

“It is also important we respond to the changing needs of our community, such as supporting those who are experiencing homelessness in the City of Bayswater and ensuring our recreational facilities enable women to participate in sport. 

“This budget includes funding for key areas such as improving community safety, addressing the City’s tree canopy, encouraging economic development and planning for the future, and becoming more energy efficient in our operations. 

“It also funds community events that bring families and friends together, and provides community grants that enhance our town centres and make our City a better place to live."

Budget highlights

•    $980,000 for the City to upgrade the changerooms at Noranda Sporting Complex to facilitate women’s participation in sport and support the Noranda City Football Club. The Federal Government has contributed $800,000 towards this project following a successful advocacy campaign by the City and the Club. 
•    $750,000 for a sheltered viewing area at Lightning Park for spectators of football, gridiron and tee ball. 
•    $433,000 for new synthetic cricket wickets at Beaufort Park, Emberson Reserve and RA Cook Reserve; the refurbishment of multipurpose courts at Grand Promenade Reserve; new floodlights at Crimea Reserve; and new soccer goals at Joan Rycroft Reserve.
•    $355,000 towards CCTV systems and infrastructure to deter anti-social behaviour and improve community safety. 
•    $30,000 for a City-wide lighting audit in reserves to improve community safety. 
•    An additional $300,000 towards planting trees in hard-to-tackle areas such as the verge on Guildford Road and hard medians across the City. 
•    An additional $100,000 towards the watering of mature trees that are struggling due to hotter, drier conditions across the State.
•    $1.65 million in funding from the State and Federal Governments to create an urban forest at Riverside Gardens East in a further effort to address our tree canopy. 
•    $1 million to rehabilitate the foreshore at Tranby House Reserve following a Federal Government grant. 
•    $300,000 in converting our street lights to LED as part of the City’s efforts to become energy efficient in its operations through the implementation of our Emission Reduction and Renewable Energy Plan.
•    $60,000 towards the development of a new long-term economic development strategy, aimed at attracting new investment and supporting existing businesses, and $40,000 towards the implementation of the existing strategy. 
•    $150,000 in grant funding for businesses and environmental, sporting and community groups. This includes Community Capital Grants that provide accessibility upgrades to community facilities, Better Bayswater Grants that make our City a better place to live, Community Events Grants that bring people together, Placemaking Grants that improve shopfronts and enhance our town centres, and donations to charitable organisations.
•    The City will continue to deliver services under its Homelessness Strategy and has committed an additional $60,000 for the City to join a consortium to access outreach services that will directly improve the lives of people experiencing homelessness in the City of Bayswater. 
•    $930,000 in community events including a community concert, the Avon Descent Finish Line Festival, Carols by Candlelight and Flourish Community Arts Festival incorporating the Community Art Awards and Exhibition. 
•    $200,000 for the City to work with the State Government on the development of the Morley Station Precinct Structure Plan. The Plan will allow for mixed-use development around the new Morley Train Station that will add vibrancy to the area and link it to the Morley Activity Centre. 
•    $890,000 towards the renewal of park furniture, playground equipment, passive lighting and rubbish bins. 
•    $3.08 million for road resurfacing including $30,000 in combined City and State Government Black Spot funding for the intersection of Benara Road and Emberson Road, and $1.33 million to upgrade our local footpath network to facilitate walking and cycling. 
•    $760,000 towards the construction of stage one of the new Drake Street cycle path connecting Bayswater Train Station and the Morley Activity Centre. 50% of this funding was provided by the State Government.  
•    $2 million has been allocated to install safety treatments to local roads in line with the Low-Cost Urban Road Safety Program in partnership with Main Roads.

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