City of Albany adopts 2024-25 budget with “modest” rate rise of 3.95 per cent and focus on major projects

Albany ratepayers will see a “careful and considered” rise in their rates after the City of Albany presented its 2024-25 budget on Tuesday. The council confirmed the rise of 3.95 per cent at an ordinary council meeting on July 23, representing a smaller increase than the past two financial years, which both rose 4.95 per cent. During the meeting, deputy mayor Paul Terry said ratepayers should be pleased with the “modest rise”, considering the larger increases seen across other local government areas due to the cost-of-living crisis. Rates are budgeted to contribute $46.3 million to the city’s overall $89.2m revenue, followed by fees and charges at $22.3m, grants and subsidies at $15m, interest earnings at $3.6m, contributions, donations and reimbursements at $1.5m and other revenue at $181,000. The highest expense remains employee costs at $36m, followed by materials and contracts ($32.6m), depreciation ($18.8m), other expenses ($6.3m), utility charges ($2.1m), insurance ($1.1m) and finance costs ($340,597). Albany mayor Greg Stocks said the 2024-25 budget supports several big-ticket projects as well as maintaining current infrastructure and services. “There are several major projects being undertaken within the scope of this budget that aim to enhance regional offerings to our residents,” he said. “With significant support from the State and Federal governments, the city is able to progress delivery of the Southern Ocean surf reef, Albany Tennis Centre and Albany 2026. “These projects underpin the growth and development of our city, focusing on empowering our community to thrive, stay active and recognise our rich heritage.” Road upgrades were allocated $12.7m, with projects ranging from major thoroughfares such as Middleton Road and Albany Highway, to pathway works in Lockyer and Mira Mar. The mayor’s combined meeting fees and allowance rose by $5712 to $148,527, and the councillor’s attendance fees were boosted from $32,960 to $34,278. Cr Malcolm Traill attributed the rise to an increase in workload due to the dissolution of two councillor positions. After robust discussion on “eleventh hour changes”, Cr Thomas Brough and Cr Stephen Grimmer passed a last-minute amendment to the general commercial waste fee, lowering the expected increase from 20 per cent ($180 per tonne) to a more modest 7 per cent ($160 per tonne). The motion followed a speech from Debbie Edwards speaking on behalf of Albany Skips and Waste Services, who noted waste fees had already been raised substantially in September last year, with no visible improvements to infrastructure. Executive director infrastructure and environment Paul Camins said the rise was due to increased deliberate contamination in skip bins and the added cost required to sort through them. Chief executive Andrew Sharpe said the budget was designed to emphasise Albany’s future. “This budget is more than a financial document, it is a roadmap for our city’s future,” he said. “It embodies our shared vision of a vibrant, sustainable and prosperous Albany.”