City of Rockingham 2022-23 budget passed after bid for lower rates increase rejected

After robust debate and an alternate rates motion was shot down, City of Rockingham councillors have approved the city’s 2022-23 budget, including a 3.9 per cent rates increase. Councillors debated the costs and benefits of the near 4 per cent rates increase when they considered the budget at their June 28 meeting. Cr Craig Buchanan called instead for a 2.4 per cent increase, arguing that struggling suburbs in Rockingham wouldn’t be able to handle a 3.9 per cent hike. Cr Buchanan said while he was in favour of a “moderate increase”, he believed wage growth was “the better benchmark” for calculating rates over property valuations, which are carried out by Landgate. “We must balance the justifiable needs of the organisation with the needs of residents,” he said. The merits of both numbers were debated, with mayor Deb Hamblin saying the council had ample time to make these issues heard before the budget was presented for voting on. “We have had so many opportunities to discuss (rates) . . . no one had brought it up until the last two (council) meetings),” Ms Hamblin said. Deputy mayor Hayley Edwards also spoke against the alternate motion. She said one of the council’s duties was to be a tax collector and rates were an investment “into our community, our future and our children’s future”. The alternate motion was defeated 5-7. Cr Leigh Liley said budgets and rates were all about future-proofing for future generations. Cr Robert Schmidt, who supported the proposed budget, said Rockingham’s rapidly growing population needed to be taken into consideration and a growing population needed growing infrastructure and services. Cr Dawn Jecks opposed adopting the budget because “a rate of 3.9 per cent has not been justified”. But Ms Hamblin said the rate was “both prudent and financially responsible” for the city. “The issue of rates is one of the most difficult decisions we make,” she said. “(But) I really believe our city deserves really good things.” The 2022-23 budget, including the originally planned 3.9 per cent rate increase, was adopted 7-5. The budget has allowed for several major capital projects, including $20.26m for Aqua Jetty Stage 2 and $14.72m for the Baldivis District Sport Complex. Rates are set to make up 54 per cent of the city’s revenue for the year and are estimated to total more than $99.5m.