Collie Shire Council votes on 5 per cent rate increase

Collie Shire Council voted unanimously to adopt a 5 per cent rate rise, making the average general rate payment $1044 for the upcoming financial year — $30 more than last year. Director of corporate services Nicole Wasmann presented the draft budget to the council on Tuesday night, proposing a 5 per cent rate increase with a predicted surplus of $13,700. Last year rates increased by 4.56 per cent, after minimal rate rises in recent years and a rates freeze in the 2020-21 financial year as part of the COVID-19 response. These measures produced a deficit position at the end of 2020-21, although some gains were made. The 2021-22 gross rental value for properties was $1,014 and Collie’s GRV value will increase to $1044 for the year ahead. The motion to adopt the budget was presented to the council with two recommendations, one proposing the rate increase and one outlining recommendations on annual fees. Recommendation one outlined a remuneration package that would award an annual attendance fee of $7880 to all elected members, as well as a telecommunication allowance of $600. On top of this, the Shire president would receive a $4000 annual allowance and the deputy shire president would received a $1000 annual allowance. These annual fees — which were also adopted unanimously — are the minimum amount that Collie shire councillors can be paid according to the Salaries and Allowanced Tribunal. In June, the City of Bunbury council voted to reject an executive recommendation for an 8.6 per cent average rates increase, opting instead for a 5 per cent increase — or an average of $131 extra per year. The Dardanup Shire council last month opted for a 4 per cent rates increase in the upcoming financial year, or an $82 extra per year. The Augusta-Margaret River Shire Council locked in a 4 per cent rates rise in their budget for this coming financial year, due to be finalised later this month. Collie’s draft budget figures come just days after the Bridgetown-Greenbushes Shire council voted to increase rates by 8.52 per cent over the next two years. Bridgetown-Greenbushes Shire council had faced online criticism over their own pay rises for councillors — including a 167 per cent pay rise to the Shire president — but have denied the new allowances were behind the rates rise.