Rates set as part of ‘realistic’ budget

Rates within the Shire of Broome will rise by 3.97 per cent and increases to fees and charges have generally been held at 5 per cent or less as part of a “realistic” budget passed by councillors last week.

Shire president Graeme Campbell said 15 staff redundancies made by the council earlier this year and cost savings had staved off a projected rates rise of about 5 per cent.

Some increases above five per cent include wheel clamping fines rising from $100 to $150 and impounding registered dogs from $70 to $82.50 and unregistered dogs from $120 to $137.50.

The daily cost to hire Haynes Oval will increase from $720 to $750 or hourly from $60 to $63 and 30-minute swimming lessons at the Broome Aquatic and Leisure Centre for adults and children will go from $42 to $45.

Mr Campbell Graeme Campbell the Shire has tried to minimise rises in rates as well as associated community costs.

“Generally, fees and charges have only gone up by about four to five per cent with the exception of some areas in waste and other statutorily controlled fees,” he said.

“I believe the adopted budget is a realistic budget with the fees and charges being minimalised where possible.”

Mr Campbell said the rates increase was generally 3.97 per cent but that depended on property assessments made by the Valuer General.

“Some rates may go down, some rates may go up but generally the funds set to be raised by the budget equates to an overall increase in rates of 3.97 per cent,” he said.

“This has been the lowest (rates) increase for quite some years and this is in-line with our long-term financial plans adopted some years ago that had these rates decreasing over the past seven or eight years.”