Published on Friday, 6 May 2022 at 12:43:09 PM
Council has endorsed for advertising the Town’s Statement of Objects and Reasons for the 2022/23 rating year, set to deliver an eased burden on residential ratepayers in response to cost of living pressures.
The proposed 2.5% rates increase is in line with the Town’s Long Term Financial Plan to provide consistency, stability and continuity for ratepayers and is significantly lower than the national 5.1% inflation rate and 5.7% Local Government Cost Index.
Due to a rise in property valuations over the past year, the Town has reduced the rate in the dollar applied to alleviate costs for ratepayers.
The overall yield derived from the gross rental value (GRV) residential category has reduced from 24% in 2021/22 to 22.7% in 2022/23. The rate in the dollar derived from the GRV residential category has reduced by 28% compared to 2021/22.
The proposed rates model is grounded in the strategy applied in 2018/19 to implement a fair and equitable rate amount per category.
The proposed rates model is designed to ensure the Town has adequate funding to maintain current service delivery levels into the new financial year and invest in critical infrastructure projects for the future.
The projected rates yield of $62,262,347 will contribute towards funding the completion of key capital projects including the Port Hedland Sports and Community Hub’s community centre; stages 2 and 3 of the Port Hedland Seawalls project and the Town’s plant replacement program.
Mayor Peter Carter said the proposed rates model strikes the right balance between seeking to yield adequate funds while responding to cost of living pressures.
“Rates are never a popular subject, however the Town’s Statement of Objects and Reasons for 2022/23 proposes a constrained 2.5% increase - well below the national inflation rate and eases the burden on residential ratepayers.”
“We’ve projected an overall rates yield of over $62 million, which will fund the continuation of current service delivery levels into 2022/23 and will enable the Town’s continued investment in core infrastructure projects to service a growing population.”
“We’ve seen significant increases in property valuations over the past year, however we have not used this as an opportunity to significantly increase rates: rather, we’ve reduced the rate in the dollar applied to respect the cost-of-living pressures local households are currently experiencing.”
“Overall, the proposed 2022/23 rates model is consistent and provides ratepayers with stability and certainty moving forward. I encourage those who are interested to submit their feedback by the deadline for consideration.”
Submissions are invited with respect to the proposed rates and payments, and any related matters should be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Carl Askew. Submissions can be emailed to council@porthedland.wa.gov.au, forwarded to PO Box 41, Port Hedland WA 6721 or hand delivered to the Civic Centre, McGregor Street, Port Hedland.
All submissions should be received no later than 4:00pm on Wednesday 1 June 2022.
Click here to access the statement of objects and reasons 2022/23
For media information:
Laura Hawes
Manager Corporate Affairs
(08) 9158 9365 | lhawes@porthedland.wa.gov.au
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