Roads, climate change targeted, rates to rise 3.9% in City of Greater Geraldton’s ‘sliced bread’ budget

Roads, climate change and youth and recreation facilities were among the biggest winners in the City of Greater Geraldton’s modest 2024-25 budget, which Mayor Jerry Clune likened to “sliced bread”. Debate and concerns were aired at Tuesday’s council meeting before councillors ultimately passed the budget eight votes to two, with the headline figure being a 3.9 per cent rates rise — the biggest annual hike to residential rates in the city for 10 years. Mr Clune said the coming year’s budget was a safe bet, like “sliced bread”. “There’s nothing exciting in the budget, but it is steady,” he said. “It might be boring, but it does the job.” A 3.9 per cent increase to rates notices will result in a $1.28 million deficit for the council. Mr Clune said the council needed to balance ratepayers’ wishes and council revenue. “It is no secret that cost of living pressures continue to mount. Life is getting more challenging, which is why we have endorsed a budget that keeps our residents’ rate increases as manageable as possible,” he said. “Income derived from rates forms the core of how the city operates and allows us to deliver on what the community wants, supports local businesses and contractors with a range of work opportunities and enables us to plan for the future.” Councillors Victor Tanti and Aaron Horsman voted against the budget for different reasons. Cr Tanti believed a further rate increase should be considered and proposed an alternate motion of a 4.5 per cent rise if the original vote failed to pass. He told the meeting the revaluation next year meant the 2025-26 budget would be a tough one, and said increasing rates this year could help the council get on top of its finances. Meanwhile, Cr Horsman said the rate increases were too big, saying people in the community were hurting as a result of rising cost of living pressures. He believed there was an opportunity to support a lower rise. Deputy mayor Natasha Colliver said the budget rate increases were modest and reflected the city’s desire to keep rates low. Cr Michael Librizzi echoed those comments, saying rate increases were needed as “it’s not sustainable to run deficit budgets”. Rate rises on average over the past decade have kept below 3 per cent, with this year’s increase being the biggest for residential properties in Geraldton since 2014-15.. Roads, footpaths, cycleways, and drainage are among the biggest investments for the city, coming in at $19.3m. The city is also looking to continue its push to reduce carbon emissions, through investment in the solar microgrid at Geraldton Airport ($5.8m) and gas flaring at the Meru tip. These initiatives will help the city keep on track with its target of net zero carbon emissions by 2030. Mr Clune said the council was committed to reducing its carbon footprint, with “high impact projects valued at nearly $5m” being delivered in 2024-25. The Meru facility is responsible for more than 80 per cent of the city’s operational carbon emissions, and the gas flaring project will reduce its emissions by up to 50 per cent. Meanwhile, young people in Geraldton are set to benefit thanks to the budget, with $4m invested in the foreshore youth precinct. Mr Clune said the investments were part of obligations the city had to its residents. “The day you stop doing that, the devil will come back and bite you,” he said. “We need to make sure Geraldton is a pleasant place for people to live in.” However, Mr Clune acknowledged there would be fewer capital works projects, despite more money being spent than last year according to the capital works program report. “This year we will have a modest reduction in the volume of capital works projects due to a larger than usual backlog of carry forward projects resulting from long lead times and resourcing challenges,” he said. “Although we are allowing for completion of the carry forward projects to avoid future backlogs, we’ve still kept an eye on the future and have included a number of critically important projects in the budget that ensure community safety and needs are met.” ROADS ON THE RADAR The council identified traffic networks as a big point for improvement across the community. Included in the total $19.3m allocation for roads, footpaths, and drainage is $12.3m towards the renewal of 25.85km of sealed roads, 55.2km of unsealed roads, four rural road intersections, and 50km of road shoulders and swales. Maitland Park will undergo design improvements to help reduce road congestion and improve safety, particularly in the school drop-off and pick-up hours. There are six schools in the vicinity of Maitland Park, where Cathedral Avenue receives a lot of foot traffic immediately before and after school. Nearly 4km of footpath will be renewed, while the Nangetty-Walkaway Bridge will be reconstructed thanks to a $7.6m injection. The city has also planned for city centre parking, with a commitment to a business case for a multi deck car park if the Batavia Coast Marina stage two gets approved. SPORT AND REC FOCUS Young people and sports lovers are set to benefit from the city’s latest budget, which includes $5.84 million for building or renewing a number of youth facilities. The foreshore youth precinct will receive $4m worth of funding to renew the equipment and increase its life span. Meanwhile, the city will invest $1.5m into the old Rocky’s Gym site, to create a multipurpose venue for young people. A number of sporting clubs will also benefit from the budget. The Red Dust Holdings Recreation Ground will receive upgrades to install new LED lighting, while Alexander Park in Utakarra is set for an upgrade including a new nature playground and shade structures. Planning will also take place at Spalding Park, to include new sports like croquet, roller derby, pickleball, and futsal. Mr Clune said these plans had been in the works for years. “Lifestyle is one of the many reasons our region remains so attractive and investing in open spaces ensures that Geraldton continues to be a great place to live,” he said. “Our community’s social fabric has always been enhanced by a rich tapestry of events and programs that we all look forward to and the city will continue to support and expand upon them in this budget.” MULLEWA COMMITMENTS The council has taken steps to improve the road networks and facilities in Mullewa, including $500,000 was put towards improving Mullewa-Mingenew Road, through shoulder sealing and widening. Mr Clune said it would allow more vehicles to access the road and improve safety for road users. A further $670,000 will be spent on gravel sheeting eight district roads, while four intersections will also be resealed. The Mullewa Coaster bus will also be replaced, while a number of upgrades will take place at the recreation grounds, the recreation centre, town hall, and Doc Docherty pool. “The community have been asking for investment in Mullewa’s infrastructure for a while now and I am pleased the new budget is delivering for the community,” Mr Clune said. “Ensuring Mullewa is an accessible and attractive place to live remains important.” 2024-25 BUDGET AT A GLANCE