Shire of Dardanup’s six per cent rate increase reflects cost of living pressures faced by council

Dardanup Shire residents will be slugged almost $100 extra in rates with the council increasing rates by six per cent after the Shire claimed to also be victims of the ongoing cost of living crisis, calling it a “vicious little circle”. The budget, which was adopted at last week’s council meeting in line with the recent four-year Corporate Business Plan, will see residents forking out an additional average $99.40 for their yearly rates. However residents in some areas will pay even more with the addition Eaton Landscaping and Bulk Waste Collection specified area rates, though these are expected to remain at the same level as current.. Shire President Mick Bennett says the increased fees reflect how local councils have also been impacted by the rising cost of living. “Just like your household budget, our Shire Budget is also impacted by inflation. You have no doubt noticed the effect at the supermarket checkout or fuel bowser recently,” he said. “We are paying more for goods and services too. For us, we are noticing the increasing costs of things like paint, road materials, equipment servicing, labour, plants, water, electricity and more. “We’re well aware of interest rates and all of those things that affect our community, and they affect us equally. Our community still expects the park to be able to be played on so we still need the money and we still need to pay our workers a reasonable income... it’s all a vicious little circle.” Despite the six per cent increase, Mr Bennett was “pleased” the council were able to keep the increase below the 2022 Consumer Price Index of 8.3 per cent. With a multitude of projects dog-eared for the upcoming year aimed at maintaining, upgrading or replacing ageing infrastructure, Mr Bennett said this year’s budget didn’t want to have people “over paying” for much needed commodities. The 2023/24 annual budget will see approx $12 million allocated to buildings, $4m towards roads, bridges, pathways and drainage upgrades, $1m towards Parks and Reserves and $400 000 for community grants, donations and events.