MUNDARING held their special council meeting last week where a 3.6 per cent rate increase was voted in as part of their annual budget.

The budget was unanimously approved by councillors along with the council’s 10-year plan for Mundaring’s development.

During public question time, Glen Forrest resident Eric Smith asked council why they were going ahead with a rate increase in the current financial climate when many were struggling.

Mundaring chief executive officer Jason Whiteaker said the consumer price index was 3.8 per cent from the 12 months to June 2024 and council looked to minimise impact on ratepayers where possible.

This follows on from a 3.5 per cent rate increase in the previous year’s budget.

Mr Smith also put to the council a question about the planned expenses on plant equipment and asked if the equipment would be treated the right way.

“We are going to spend (about $4.15 million) on plant and equipment,” he said.

“Seems a fairly large amount of money to be spending on plant and equipment.

“Are we treating our plant and equipment in the proper way so that life expectancy on some of this stuff can be lengthened?”

Mr Whiteaker said he could assure Mr Smith and the community that council and staff took all precautions to make sure that they were managing their plant in the most effective possible way.

“In terms of replacement, we’re constantly reviewing the (optimal) replacement timeframes and periods to ensure that council’s optimising its return on any trades.”

The council moved on from public question time to discuss support for the 10-year plan and budget.

The flagship project for the council remained the revitalisation of the Mundaring town centre as reported in Mundaring President says time for revitalisation.

Councillor Trish Cook said while there were disagreements about the budget, overall she thought they were on the right track.

“One thing I’m particularly happy we got through is that there are no spectator fees for parents to watch their children at the swimming pools,” she said.

“We want people to go to the swimming carnivals and to attend the swimming pools, they’re an extra set of eyes we want parents to supervise their children in the public place and that spectator fee is now zero, so I’m particularly pleased with that.

“I think we’re really on the right path and we’re heading in the right direction.”