City’s Better Budget paves way for improved services and infrastructure

The City of Canning’s newly adopted 2023-2024 Annual Budget provides for improved service delivery and greater investment into playgrounds, community facilities, community safety and environment and conservation, in response to community feedback.
 
The $170 million budget, adopted at last night’s Special Council Meeting, demonstrates the City’s commitment to strong economic management and to setting Canning up for the future.
 
The budget includes a $44 million investment in projects and capital works to improve parks, community facilities and neighbourhoods.
 
Key projects include the Maniana Park Redevelopment in the Queens Park Open Space, the Kent Street Weir Precinct Redevelopment, and the City’s first district level playground at Shelley Beach Park.
 
The City has quadrupled its investment into playgrounds, with 12 playgrounds planned for renewal in the new financial year- a record level of funding for Canning.
 
Sporting and recreational facilities are also a focus, with funding allocated to improvements at Whaleback Golf Course and various sports field lighting projects, as well as changeroom and renewal works earmarked across the City.

Community safety concerns have been addressed, with a 400% increase in funding (by $80,000) for the popular Security Incentive Scheme.
 
The budget includes a scaling up of investment in conservation and environment, with $720,000 allocated for revegetation of conservation areas and planting of new trees in Canning, plus an additional $1.8 million towards the maintenance of over 75,000 trees across the City.
 
Connectivity is as important as ever, with $30 million allocated to the maintenance and upgrade of the City’s road network, drainage and footpaths, as well as extending and improving shared paths for pedestrians and cyclists.

Passes allowing the free drop off of household mixed waste and recycling to the Waste Transfer Station will be introduced in July, delivered to ratepayers via the Annual Rates Notice.
 
City of Canning Mayor Patrick Hall said Council and the City administration were taking a ‘back to basics’ approach to service delivery that would focus on the things that mattered most to ratepayers.
 
“We are listening to the community and have heard their calls for improved service delivery when it comes to things like verge collection and verge maintenance – and this budget will pave the way for us to deliver that,” said Mayor Hall.
 
“I want to assure our community that Council and the City administration will continue to prioritise strong economic management and will focus on providing you with value for your rates. We believe that this budget achieves these outcomes.
 
“The moderate rate increase provides for targeted investment to create better service, better facilities, and better parks and playgrounds, will help to absorb cost pressures, and will allow the City to continue delivering services at the standard that our community expects.
 
“This is our blueprint for a sustainable future. By investing back into our assets and infrastructure now, we can ensure that we are making provisions for the next generation.”
 
City of Canning rates remain among the lowest of local governments in the Perth metropolitan area.
 
The $60 per annum average rate increase for residents will improve local parks and playgrounds, deliver modern community facilities, and improve core services while keeping debt to a minimum.
 
If residents are experiencing financial hardship and are having difficulty paying their rates, they are encouraged to contact the City to assist in making alternative payment arrangements.