Bridgetown-Greenbushes Shire to set rates increase of at least 5 per cent

Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes residents could be facing a rates increase of at least 5 per per in the 2022-23 financial year after the council votes on the rise on Thursday. The proposed 6.95 per cent increase is 1.1 per cent more than the 5.85 per cent rate rise the council released for public comment in May. This change was made because of a staffing restructure which saw a budget deficit of $53,409 in rate revenue required in the 2022/23 financial year. At its meeting held on May 26 the council adopted its proposed differential rates for the 2022/23 financial year at $1,037, which would have equated to a $57 a year increase for ratepayers. When the council met on June 30, they voted on a proposed organisation restructure that resulted in an additional $199,746 in employee costs. The increased cost created a revised budget deficit of $5.189 million, revenue the council would need to raise through council rates to fund essential shire services. On Thursday, councillors will vote on increasing the total rate yield by 6.95 per cent, or $1048 for gross rental value. The council will also introduce a new rates category for the 2022/23 financial year for gross rental valued mine sites, to be calculated at the same amount of$1048. This category applies to mining leases with “improvements” on the land, including offices, workshops and processing facilities, and will allow the council to create further revenue from the Greenbushes mine site property this financial year. “These categories ensure that rate revenue is collected on an equitable basis, taking into consideration the cost of delivering services to each of the respective land classes in the district,” Shire chief executive officer Tim Clynch said in a report to council. Under the original 5.85 per cent increase calculated in May, this would have generated a further $75,000. This is expected to increase under the revised rate increase council will vote on this Thursday. The report outlined the revenue from this differential rate will contribute to the higher amount of maintenance needed on the road network associated with mine-site activity. “This amount is to be transferred to reserve to fund the future renewal of roads used by heavy haulage trucks to and from the mine site,” Mr Clynch said.