Rates hike on the agenda for Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup as biggest increase in the South West is floated

Donnybrook and Balingup residents could soon be slapped with a bigger rates increase than anywhere else in the South West if a proposed 8.6 per cent increase is approved by the council next week. It would mean the average household would fork out up to $212 more than last year, with a minimum payment of $1316. Councillors will decide on the increase — which has been recommended in an officer’s report — at next week’s council meeting. The hike comes amid a significant number of infrastructure redevelopments in the region, including the Apple Fun Park revitalisation and overhaul of the VC Mitchell Park precinct. It also follows a rates freeze last year to support residents facing uncertain financial situations during the pandemic. In his annual budget message, Shire president Brian Piesse said the increase would go some way to make up for the hold on last year’s rates. “While the rating increase, at a first glance, might appear high, given the impact of a COVID-related decision by the Shire to not increase rates in 2020-2021, this year’s increase averaged over the last two years is 4.3 per cent,” he said. “While it partly addresses the rating anomalies of past years, it clearly provides for an intergenerational vision, framework and positive journey for the future.” The neighbouring Shire of Capel last week elected to freeze rates for the second consecutive year, while Bunbury City Council last month adopted a 2.9 per cent increase. Donnybrook Balingup Ratepayers and Residents Association president Brad Fowler said the rates increase was far too steep. “It is too high an increase because at the moment, the Shire is in a position where their administration costs are too high,” he said. “A lot of assumptions in their budget are based around potential income from Federal and State funding sources like grants and that sort of thing, so they can fudge the figures a little bit there. “This 8.6 per cent increase is to do with the sporting facility upgrade; you can break it down as much as you want but from their side of things they’re saying it is a community asset and we’re saying it’s a two-storey football club.” The increased rating also accounts for the now defunct Waste Management Levy and budgets for the internal audit function to begin this financial year. “To assist the Shire and its Audit and Risk Management Committee in terms of financial governance and planning, the establishment of an internal audit function is budgeted to commence in the 2021-22 year,” Mr Piesse said. “I commend to you what I believe to be a fair, reasonable, equitable and fiscally responsible budget.” The Shire would not add comment until adoption of the budget.