Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup approves 2024-25 budget with average 10 per cent rate rise

Ratepayers in the Donnybrook-Balingup area are set to see their rates climb by 10 per cent as the shire attempts to deal with long-term financial problems. The Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup unanimously supported the rise in rates revenue as it officially adopted the 2024-25 budget at last week’s special council meeting, with the move set to cost ratepayers an average $191 to $230 more per year. The council had been grappling with how to resolve a significant budget problem highlighted in its long-term financial plan adopted in July. It showed the shire’s funding levels were 25 per cent below what would be required to meet its long-term needs. The rates increase is the result of a 4.5 per cent increase in general costs, a 4.5 per cent increase in funds set aside for reserves and a 4 per cent increase for costs related to the VC Mitchell Park project. The increases have been partly offset by a more than 3 per cent reduction in costs, largely driven by a decision to axe a full-time parks and gardens maintenance role and a part-time economic development officer position. Cr Grant Patrick said no one likes to increase rates, but shire staff had tried to minimise the impact “as best as possible”. “I think council as well as the community are well aware that there are financial concerns around our current situation, particularly in relation to reserves, and I think that the outcome that has gone into this is as best as it can be,” he said. Cr Anita Lindemann said the council was trying to improve its financial stability in an incremental way. “I do think occasionally that people forget (councillors) all pay those rates as well, so we do know what it will mean to you financially, but we also know this is the way forward and it is done measured and within our means,” she said. Cr Anne Mitchell admitted she had reservations about the budget but would support it, highlighting her wish to have an additional one per cent in rate revenue put towards the council’s reserves by the end of the financial year. The increases will result in properties valued on gross rental value paying 9.2018 cents per rateable dollar and properties valued on unimproved value paying 0.5013 cents per rateable dollar. The minimum rate payment will be $1667. Shire president Vivienne MacCarthy said the budget was a “pivotal” one. “It is a step change towards addressing our long-term financial stability and it’s just the beginning,” she said. “The 10 per cent rate rise is the beginning of other strategies that we are going to continue to explore throughout the year. There’s more to be done, and the work that we are embarking upon to rationalise our assets and explore other opportunities to ensure our long-term financial position.” Rates will be due by November 11.