As a financially sustainable local government, the City recognises that effective management is one of the more important services a local government can provide for its residents, businesses, property owners and stakeholders.

Council is acutely aware that it is extremely important to keep rate rises to a minimum and Council’s rating strategy over many years has been to keep rate rises moderate and in line with inflation.

The 1.75% per cent increase in rates for the 2019-2020 financial year is an excellent result for the community.

This is in line with the Consumer Price Index for Perth which is forecasted to be 1.75 per cent during 2019-2020 and the Western Australian Local Government Association Local Government Cost Index (LGCI) is forecasted to be 1.80 per cent during 2019-2020.

The average annual rates for residents will increase from approximately $1,373 to $1,397 - including rubbish charges, but excluding the State Government imposed Emergency Services Levy (ESL). This represents the increase of only 1.75 per cent on the total charge.

The Budget maintains the City’s commitment to the community to provide and expand our excellent, cost effective services and facilities such as the new Community Centre. Approximately $31.6 million has been budgeted for capital works in the areas of road, buildings, parks, environment, streetscapes, footpaths and drainage.

We have continued to enhance our activities in the area of Community Events, Community Development, Community Wellbeing, Placemaking, and remain focused on areas such as parks and reserves, road maintenance, the natural environment and community facilities as well as crime prevention, safety and security.

I am sure you will find that this Budget continues to demonstrate Council’s desire to maintain Belmont as a progressive City. With the support of our residents and businesses, the City of Belmont – the City of Opportunity continues to be a great place to live, work, play and invest. Cr Phil MarksMayor City of Belmont

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR MAYOR

WHERE YOUR 2019 – 2020 RATES ARE BEING SPENT

Governance

9%

Library Services

5%

Recreation and Culture

8%

Financial Reserves

6%

Administration

6%

Building Infrastructure

6%

ParksInfrastructure

12%

Rubbish and Sanitation

11%

Transport Infrastructure

19%

Environment(Specific Projects)

2%

Planning and Regulatory

7%

Youth, Family and Aged Services

3%

Security and Emergency Services

6%

WHAT DO MY RATES PAY FOR?

Your rates provide many vital services that help to improve your neighbourhood and create a healthy, vibrant and connected society.

INFRASTRUCTURE AND ASSET MANAGEMENT

Managing and maintaining community buildings and facilities, 231km of roads, street cleaning drains and 233km footpaths.

WASTE AND RECYCLING

Residential rubbish (approx. 19,500 weekly uplifts) and recycling (approx. 3,500 tonnes annually), green waste services (3600 bins annually) bulk waste bin services (13,000 bins annually), annual white goods and asbestos drop off days, on Demand Collection Service.The City recycles annually 1500 tonnes of concrete and 6000 tonnes of road base.

STRATEGIC AND STATUTORY PLANNING

Local Planning Scheme amendments and reviews, development application assessment, preparation of urban design and strategic plans.

COMMUNITY SAFETY AND CRIME PREVENTION

Extensive CCTV network of 388 cameras, Community Watch 24-Hour service (approx 4,683 calls annually), graffiti removal, security appraisals and BeCrimeFree website.

FAMILY, YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES

Child immunisation clinics, domestic violence support service and Belmont Youth Centre – The Base@Belmont.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, and Seniors and Disability Engagement, Community Service Awards and NAIDOC Awards.

LEISURE AND COMMUNITY WELLBEING

Belmont Oasis Leisure Centre 600,000+ entries annually, Active, Nutritious and Creative Lifestyles series, CountUSin and club development.

STRATEGIC TRANSPORT AND SUSTAINABILITY

Improving bicycle and pedestrian access, advocating for public transport improvements and TravelSmart promotion.

See below for a snapshot of some of the services supported by your rates.

BUILDING SERVICESBuilding and other safety permits, and protecting local amenity.

SENIORS WELLBEING SERVICES

In-Home support, Harman Park Community Centre services, transportation and meals. Approx. 39,500 hours annually, approx. 11,000 one way trips, approx. 6,700 meals annually.

LIBRARY AND MUSEUM SERVICES

Ruth Faulkner Public Library (approx.146,000 visitors annually); Library and Museum events and activities (approx. 22,000 people attend annually).

FESTIVALS AND COMMUNITY EVENTSKidz Fest, Autumn River Festival, Harmonise Cultural Festival, Carols in the Park, Big Light Out, Elton in the Park, Let’s Celebrate Festival Finale, and Movies in the Park. Attended by more than 45,000 people annually.

PARKS AND RECREATION

Maintenance of open spaces (including 309 hectares of parks, playgrounds and gardens) and street tree planting to enhance the City's Urban Forest.

COMPLIANCE, PARKING AND TRAFFIC

Animal management, local laws, food safety, parking enforcement and traffic management.

ADVOCACY, ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONSRegular community consultations, advocacy on strategic issues, print and website publications including Belmont Bulletin, Belmont BeNews enewsletter, social media and online communications to the community.

FINANCE, RISK AND PERFORMANCELong term financial planning, annual budgeting, financial management, performance reporting, auditing, procurement, tenders and contracts.

GOVERNANCECoordination of Council agendas and minutes, statutory compliance, risk management, business continuity, insurance, records management, freedom of information and legal advice for a range of matters.

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Human resources, organisational development, innovation, computer and telecommunications support across all Council services.

BUDGET OBJECTIVES FOR 2019–2020

✔ Have regard for Council’s Strategic Community Plan 2016-2036 that focuses on Social, Business, Natural and Built Belmont.✔ Key result areas to be delivered through continuous business improvement.✔ Ensure endorsed Council initiatives are adequately funded.✔ Maintain existing infrastructure assets in line with asset management plans.✔ Construct and maintain quality facilities for the benefit and enjoyment of the community.✔ Have full regard for the implications of National Competition Policy.✔ Retain a committed, professional and enthusiastic workforce to ensure best practice service delivery.✔ Maintain a commitment to Council’s marketing strategy by creating opportunities for the City’s entire community.

Faulkner Civic Precinct Community Centre

$15,520,000

Towards the construction of the new multi-purpose

community centre which includes $7,208,930 in grant funding.

Belmont Avenue $2,024,074

Towards the Belmont Avenue road rehabilitation between

Alexander Road and Great Eastern Highway.

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

The Budget for the 2019-2020 year includes funding for some of the following substantial projects:

Community Contribution Fund

$80,000

Forster Park

$420,000

Construction of pump track and playground.

Crime Prevention and CCTV

$1,765,131

Belmont Oasis Leisure Centre

$1,700,000 Renewal works.

Wilson Park Master Plan

$300,000 Stage 1 Design.

Bilya Kard Boodja Lookout

$50,000 Foreshore stabilisation.

DIFFERENTIAL AND MINIMUM RATES

Outlined below is an extract from the Statement of Objectives and Reasons for each Differential and Minimum Rate.

For more information, please refer to the City of Belmont’s 2019-2020 Annual Budget.

Residential Rate

The residential rate forms the basis of the differential rates with the current rate in the dollar reflecting that Residential has the least capacity to pay. Council continues to grow the overall rate base enabling a more even distribution of the City’s overheads. The City of Opportunity Marketing Strategy and Local Town Planning Scheme play pivotal roles in this.

Commercial and Industrial Rates

The location of the airport and rail freight terminal in conjunction with the City of Opportunity Marketing Strategy continues to encourage industry within the City of Belmont. The Industrial and Commercial sectors result in significant expenditure in relation to road maintenance and other regulatory services such as Health, Building and Town Planning. However, Council is mindful that both sectors generate employment opportunities and keeps the rate in the dollar for each sector as reasonable as possible.

Differential Rating

Rate Rate in Relativity to Rate in Relativity toCategory the Dollar Residential the Dollar Residential 2018-2019 Rate 2019-2020 Rate

Residential 5.2423 1.0000 5.3341 1.0000

Commercial 6.1639 1.1760 6.2718 1.1760

Industrial 6.1807 1.1790 6.2889 1.1790

RATES NOTICES AND PAYMENT METHODS

Electronic Rate Notices (E-Rates)

You can now register to receive future rate notices by email rather than post.

To register, complete registration form at www.belmont.wa.gov.au – Quick Links – Rates. Full Terms and Conditions are to be read prior to making the application. Please note that your assessment number is required to complete the registration.

Once your registration has been completed, you will receive a confirmation email. The registration process will automatically close ten (10) days prior to the issue date of a rate notice. If the registration has not been received in time, you will automatically receive that rate notice by post and any following notices will be issued electronically.

Direct Debit - In Advance

Direct Debit In Advance allows you to get ahead on your rates, helping to reduce the stress of paying bills in full as they arrive.

This method preferably starts in March each year and allows you the ability to commence paying the next year’s rates account in advance and being finalised the following March in line with the due date of the fourth instalment. This gives you twelve months to pay the account, meaning smaller payments over a longer period of time. This arrangement will automatically continue each year unless you advise the City in writing to terminate.

Application forms are available at the City Offices or simply go to www.belmont.wa.gov.au – Quick Links – Customer Requests and pick the Rates Direct Debit button to complete your application.

For further information, please contact the Rates Department on 9477 7222. Please note that payments in advance will not be refunded.

Any other rate queries can be emailed to rates@belmont.wa.gov.au

Key Dates for Payment of 2019-2020 Rates:

Issue Date Due Date

Issued Monday, 12 August 2019 Monday, 16 September 2019

2nd Instalment Monday, 21 October 2019 Monday, 18 November 2019

3rd Instalment Friday, 23 December 2019 Monday, 20 January 2020

4th Instalment Friday, 24 February 2020 Monday, 23 March 2020

YOUR CITY OF BELMONT COUNCILLORS

EAST WARD

Cr Phil Marks (Mayor)

P 9277 4919 M 0417 998 229 E crmarks@belmont.wa.gov.au (Term expires 19 October 2019)

Cr Margie Bass

P/F 9277 9504 M 0423 768 760 E crbass@belmont.wa.gov.au (Term expires 19 October 2019)

Cr Bernie Ryan

M 0418 941 328 E crryan@belmont.wa.gov.au (Term expires 16 October 2021)

SOUTH WARD:

Cr Janet Powell

P/F 9277 3915 M 0407 277 391 E crpowell@belmont.wa.gov.au (Term expires 16 October 2021)

Cr Jenny Davis

P 9478 1352 M 0413 579 390 E crdavis@belmont.wa.gov.au (Term expires 16 October 2021)

Cr Steve Wolff

M 0401 822 553 E crwolff@belmont.wa.gov.au (Term expires 19 October 2019)

WEST WARD:

Cr Robert Rossi JP (Deputy Mayor)

M 0408 693 584 E crrossi@belmont.wa.gov.au (Term expires 19 October 2019)

Cr Lauren Cayoun

P 9361 0719 M 0416 380 633 E crcayoun@belmont.wa.gov.au (Term expires 16 October 2021)

Cr George Sekulla JP

M 0431 963 660 E crsekulla@belmont.wa.gov.au (Term expires 16 October 2021)

City of Belmont

215 Wright Street, Cloverdale, Western Australia 6105

Locked Bag 379, Cloverdale, Western Australia 6985

Phone (08) 9477 7222 | After Hours (08) 9477 7224

Fax (08) 9478 1473 | Email belmont@belmont.wa.gov.au

BelmontCouncilWA BelmontCouncilWA

@BelmontCouncil

www.belmont.wa.gov.auPRINTED ON

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