City holds rate rise at 2.5pc

Ratepayers will pay a modest rate rise of 2.5 per cent after the City of Albany adopted the 2017-18 annual budget on Tuesday night.

The rate increase was the lowest in four years, after last year’s rise of 3.5 per cent.

The budget, adopted at Tuesday’s council meeting, includes an overall operating revenue of $57.9 million with $24.9 million allocated to capital works.

These works include $5.2 million allocated to road renewals and upgrades for the reconstruction of Millbrook Road, reseal of Pfeiffer Road and works to Norwood Road and Middleton Road.

Funding will also be allocated to path upgrades with a total of $915,482 going towards a project from Mt Elphinstone to the CBD as well as upgrades along Albany Highway and Sanford Road. Deputy Mayor Greg Stocks said the budget would allow the City of Albany to carry out major capital works including the continuation of the Centennial Park sporting precinct and Albany Tourism and Information Hub.

“The continued renewal, upgrade and expansion of our infrastructure is vital to ensure development within our region, thanks to continued support from State and Federal Government, we can continue to ensure growth and continued enhancement,” Cr Stocks said.

City of Albany reserves will also receive $2.4 million worth of upgrades and maintenance, with Lake Weerlara in Lockyer to undergo a $75,000 enhancement project with support from the State Government.

Mr Stocks said the City would continue to be clean, green and sustainable with an ongoing waste sustainability program, which includes Green Fair on the Square.