Published on Friday, 28 June 2024 at 10:05:09 AM
Significant investments in LED streetlighting, footpath upgrades and reconstruction of part of Riverside Road, are three of the major projects approved by the Town of East Fremantle after Council adopted its 2024-2025 Budget.
The Corporate Business Plan 2024-2028, which converts the Strategic Community Plan into action through the Annual Budget, was also endorsed in June.
The 2024-2025 budget incorporates a 4.25 per cent increase in the gross rate yield for residential and commercial properties, in line with the adopted Revenue Strategy and Long-term Financial Plan.
This will bring the Town’s operating budget for the next financial year to $13.2 million.
Mayor Jim O’Neill welcomed the well-balanced budget, which prioritises the Town’s resources to meet the community’s expectations and priorities.
“Council endorsed the underlying budget principles at its meeting in April,” he said.
“These principles have formed part of the Town’s commitment to deliver assets and services to the community in a financially sustainable matter. Part of the budget has seen a surplus brought forward from the 2023-2024 financial year.
The Town has also budgeted for 100 per cent of estimated financial assistance grants in 2024-2025. It is always a pleasure to support community groups through our grants program.”
Highlights of the 2024-2025 Budget include:
Parks and ovals – in maintaining the Town’s beautiful green spaces, $310,000 will be invested for upgrades including bins and drinking fountains, and a softfall upgrade for exercise equipment areas at W Wayman Reserve.
Urban tree canopy – commitment to increase action on urban forest canopy and greening including selecting trees better suited and managed with regard to climate change, shothole borer resistance, and cockatoo corridors and identifying planting capacity.
Riverside Road upgrade – thanks to a $322,489 Regional Road Group grant and $161,244 Roads to Recovery grant, works will begin to upgrade Riverside Road adjacent to Leeuwin Boat Ramp. This project is 100 per cent funded by the grants.
Upgrades to footpaths – Council has committed $325,400 to upgrade footpaths on Moss Street, George Street, Riverside Road and Preston Point Road.
Sustainability and the environment – $707,500 will be invested in a solar and battery charging station for electric vehicles at the East Fremantle Community Park and installation of solar panels at the Town Hall, depot and Dovenby House (subject to securing a 50% Federally funded grant). A further $310,000 will be spent to upgrade streetlights to LED.
Fremantle Women’s change room upgrade and new building project – A multi-year budget of $1.09m has been approved for upgrades to continue upgrades to the Fremantle City (Women’s Soccer) Club Building, with works expected to be completed in September 2024.
Carparks – $200,000 has been earmarked for the upgrades and maintenance of carparks, including $180,000 to progress the design of parking precincts. This will include landscaping, public art and parking upgrades.
Six strategic priority areas identified in Corporate Business Plan
Over the next four years, the Town will focus on six priorities identified in the Corporate Business Plan 2024-2028:
- Climate action/natural environment
- Protecting the character of the Town’s built environment, including heritage
- East Fremantle Community Park
- Town Centre Revitalisation
- Communication and engagement
- Modern business systems
“We have listened to our community and recognise and understand that these priorities must be our focus,” Mayor O’Neill added.
“The Corporate Business Plan sets a clear direction for the next four years and we look forward to collaborating with the East Fremantle community to realise our strategic priorities.”
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