Manjimup shire council votes to increase rates by 4.9 per cent

Shire of Manjimup residents will be paying about an extra $48 in their rates this year after the council voted to increase rates by 4.9 per cent, in a budget with a strong focus on roads and core infrastructure maintenance. The council adopted the 2022/23 financial budget at the July 28 shire council meeting, which set general rates to increase from $988 in the 2021/22 financial year to $1036 in the current financial year. Shire president Paul Omedei said the larger-than-usual rate rise was not a decision the council made lightly, but reflected increased costs faced across the board. “It is always a difficult time throughout budget considerations, this level of rate rise is larger than usual, and is not taken lightly as most in the community are experiencing financial stress,” Mr Omodei said. “Like all organisations across the State, this year’s budget has been greatly impacted by increased costs and availability of materials and contractors. “This is reflected by the high level of carry forwards from the 2021/2022 financial year.” Big ticket items in this year’s budget include $1,474,758 on continuing the Pemberton Colocation project, $1,328,285 towards the Manjimup Trail Bike Hub project and $1,689,795 to upgrades at the Collier Street/Rea Park precinct. A total of $2,597,178 will be spent on road maintenance and $1,108,923 on road sealing. This year’s budget will increase the amount spent of road infrastructure renewal funding by $100,000 to $1,565,000 which will allow for greater leverage in order to received grant funding. Major upgrades will be completed at Graphite, Perup, North Walpole, Wheatley Coast, Channybearup and Old Vasse roads, as well as ongoing re-sheeting and sealing works across the road network. Work across the shire’s network 46 bridges will include major bridge works on Mordalup, Holleys, Hatchery, Franco, and Muirillup Road Bridges. Manjimup shire contains 512km of sealed roads and about 900km of unsealed roads, 40km of footpaths or walkways, and 46 bridges.