Published on Tuesday, 28 July 2020 at 9:07:08 PM

The Town of Bassendean adopted its 2020-2021 Budget tonight, based on no increase in rate revenue and a freeze on fees and charges.

The decision to maintain rate revenue at the same level as last financial year recognises the financial impact of COVID-19 on ratepayers, community groups and businesses.

Mayor Renee McLennan said given the unusual circumstances this year, Council had used the opportunity to reassess its priorities and proposed projects.

The resulting Budget adopts an ambitious program of operational and capital projects to stimulate economic and social development.

Cr McLennan said the Town had forged some strategic partnerships with government agencies to share funding of various projects and to reduce the reliance on ratepayers.

Projects funded for 2020-21 include:

• Town Centre Master Plan – to create a holistic and integrated plan to catalyse investment and facilitate the community’s vision for new housing, employment opportunities, prospering small businesses and greater social amenity and connection in the Old Perth Road and train station precinct
• New playgrounds at Sandy Beach, Padbury Way Reserve and Palmerston Street Reserve creating new play and neighbourhood spaces
• River Assessment – to identify the planning and investment required to meet environmental and community expectations to care for the Swan River and provide high quality foreshore amenities
• Trees -- Plant another 1,000 new trees across our neighbourhoods
• Old Perth Road Markets resume
• Jubilee Reserve Masterplan – develop a high level concept master plan for the redevelopment of the reserve including an accessible, multipurpose facility for the benefit of a range of user groups
• Second Avenue to Fourth Avenue Living Stream – design the refurbishment of the drain between Second and Fourth Avenues (part funded by Water Corporation), with construction delayed by one year to spread the cost
• Food Organics Garden Organics – Reduce waste going to landfill and saving landfill costs by introducing a new three-bin FOGO system in July 2020, with funding from the State Government at no additional cost to our rate-payers
• Whitfield Street Safe Active Street – Construction underway to provide a safer and more enjoyable cycle route from Guildford Road to the Swan River (funded by Department of Transport)
• Underground Power – Parts of Eden Hill and Bassendean, with Western Power funding infrastructure to the property boundary. Property owners fund the cost of connection from the boundary to the property from September 2021, delaying any financial impact for over a year
• Spillway, Success Hill – Project ready to progress to detailed design, to allow stormwater to flow into the river to minimise foreshore erosion
• Sandy Beach Playground construction – Build a nature-based playground. Detailed design is complete. Funded from the town's Public Open Space funds, proceeds from the sale of land at Chapman and Lord Streets and the Town's Land and Buildings Infrastructure Reserve
• Sandy Beach toilets – Replace the toilets and connect to mains sewer (funded through Public Open Space funds and EMRC dividend)
• Mary Crescent Reserve “Our Park Our Place” – Regenerate park with Greening Australia using Lotterywest funding, Water Corporation grant and Town funds
• Green Trail – Pilot project to blend path infrastructure with local surroundings to create a more pleasant walking and riding experience by increasing natural landscaping, shade, shelter and amenity (funded by Department of Transport)
• Restoration works to the northern section of Bindaring Wetlands
• New footpaths (funded by the Federal Government COVID-19 infrastructure grant)

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