The City of Karratha Council has adopted its 2023/24 Annual Budget with a $41 million capital works program highlighted by construction beginning on the multi-million Roebourne Streetscapes masterplan.
The Budget continues a responsible and sustainable financial management approach by the City to ensure the immediate term needs of current residents are met while at the same time providing enhanced services and infrastructure developments to meet future requirements.
As part of the budget the City will deliver a $41.3m capital works program, focusing on service improvements such as Karratha Leisureplex Outdoor Court Shading upgrades, expanding the local road and footpath network and playground upgrades.
Council resolved to increase rates by 5 percent (as advertised) excluding residential rates, which will increase by only 3.5 percent, below the March 2023 Perth CPI of 5.8 percent.
In 2023/24 the City will require $53.3m from general rate revenue and 59% of operating revenue will come from other sources, including grants, fees and charges.
City of Karratha Mayor Peter Long said the budget delivers a balanced approach to meeting community expectation while acknowledging increasing costs to Council.
“We understand the cost-of-living pressures facing our community and those pressures are also impacting the City,” Cr Long said.
“Our other investments, like the Airport and the Quarter, provide a positive alternative revenue source that reduces reliance on rates and allows the City to absorb cost increases in the budget.”
Mayor Long said this year’s budget included a range of projects to improve infrastructure in the City and meet the future needs of the community.
“We’re excited to endorse this year’s budget and to continue to improve facilities around our City,” Cr Long said.
“We’ve got several important projects in our capital works program, from the $5.7m Hillview/Balmoral Road Upgrade and $1.2m Coolawanyah Road / Dewitt Intersection reconstruction to $4.3m for the next stages of the Kevin Richards Memorial Oval Redevelopment and more than $2.5m towards the Roebourne Streetscape Master Plan Construction.
“Families will benefit from $750,000 in playground upgrades throughout the City, and the continuation of the popular ‘Kids swim free in January’ initiative.
“We will seek community engagement as we develop plans for the future, including the Point Samson Town Masterplan, the Wickham Oval Masterplan, and the Community Facilities Infrastructure Plan.
“I’m also pleased to see the City will be preparing its first Reconciliation Action Plan this financial year.”
Highlights:
- Roebourne Streetscape Master Plan Construction $2.5m
- Karratha Leisureplex Outdoor Court Shading $325K
- Kevin Richards Memorial Oval Redevelopment (including multi use hard courts and lighting) $4.3m
- Hillview/Balmoral Road upgrade $5.7m
- Shared use Footpaths and Footpath Lighting $710K
- Wickham Community Hall Ceiling Replacement and new Water Main $502K
- Saylor Park Accessible Amenity Block $250K
- Update to the Effluent Reuse System $500K
- Community Storage Sheds for Community Associations $100K
- Hancock Way – construction of 6 Houses $3.9m
- Coolawanyah Road / Dewitt Intersection reconstruction $1.2m
- Karratha Airport Runway rejuvenation $1.0m
- Jingarri - construction of 2 Houses $1.1m