THE City of Swan is proposing to introduce a 3.5 per cent rate increase for the 2024-25 budget with the decision made at a special council meeting on April 29.
The proposed rates need to be advertised for a minimum of 21 days for public comment prior to them being adopted.
Any submissions about the proposed differential rates and specified areas rates are to be considered at a May 29 special meeting.
At the start of the debate about the item an alternative motion was moved by Swan Valley Gidgegannup ward councillor Rod Henderson for the council to support a 3.98 per cent increase, which he said would raise an extra $660,000 to be used for extra watering, maintenance and planting of trees.
Cr Henderson said it fitted with what Cr Dave Knight had given as his reason for proposing to increase the vacant land tax – a proposal that was rescinded at last month’s ordinary council meeting.
Speaking against the alternative motion Altone ward Cr Jennifer Catalano said she opposed both the 3.5 and the 3.98 per cent rate increase proposals.
Instead Cr Catalano said the council should not go ahead with contentious projects such as the Midland oval, Ballajura play station, Henley Brook Avenue, Eric Lumsden RAV Road and the Morrison Road upgrade especially at this time when people were feeling the effects of inflation.
During debate about the item deputy mayor Ian Johnson said while it was known residents wanted more trees planted a survey had also shown the biggest group wanted a zero per cent rate increase.
Cr Johnson said he and another councillor were working to put together another budget like the 2020 one – for three years the city did not increase rates before a 3.75 per cent increase was approved last year.
When Cr Henderson’s motion was lost Midland Guildford ward Cr Rashelle Predovnik moved the officer’s recommendation for the 3.5 per cent increase, which was voted for by councillors Evia Aringo, Aaron Bowman, Parry Jones, Cate McCullough, Charlie Zannino, Rod Henderson, Cr Predovnik and Mayor Tanya Richardson.
Councillors Sarah Howlett, Amanda Dorn, Haeden Miles, Johnson, Catalano and Knight voted against the proposed increase.
