Japan visit on the agenda

The City of Rockingham council is set to have its March council meeting on Tuesday night, with several items on the agenda expected to generate debate.

Council is expected to approve the composition of an official delegation which is expected to travel to Rockingham’s Japanese sister city Ako in 2018, at a cost of $35,000.

The delegation will consist of six people including the mayor, two councillors, the chief executive and two members of the global friendship committee.

Over the past five years the City has hosted several visiting delegations from Ako, including visits from its mayor and a citizen delegation in November 2017.

The February 2018 Budget Review is also set to come before council, with the review highlighting how operating expenditure and operating revenue had decreased by $3.42 million and $6.65 million, respectively.

According to the review, a large portion of the decline in operating revenue was a reflection of the City losing a major contract with the Southern Metropolitan Regional Council, with Millar Road Landfill tip entry fees and charges down $5.75 million as a result.

Meanwhile, non-operating expenditure and non-operating revenue has increased by $1.01 million and $4.14 million, respectively.

Council is also expected not to support requests for overflow parking on Exhibition Way in Cooloongup, adjacent to the Salvation Army Rockingham Corps, after City investigations found a lack of community support and low demand for additional parking.