City of Greater Geraldton 2022-23 budget to be put to the vote next week

Council is expected to endorse an average 3.6 per cent rates rise and the return of the controversial organics waste trial when it votes on the City of Greater Geraldton’s 2022-23 budget next week. Under the proposed rates model for the next financial year, the City estimates it will raise $50.33 million in rates levied, amounting to a 4.4 per cent — plus 0.6 per cent growth — to overall rates revenue. Due to property revaluations to take effect from July 1, about 20 per cent of residential properties will have zero or less movement in their rates bill in 2022-23 compared with 2021-22. But Sunset Beach ratepayers will pay an average of $250 more in rates next financial year due to skyrocketing property values. The additional rates revenue collected will go towards funding projects such as the extension of the food and garden organics waste collection trial, which has been allocated $185,000 in the budget. The more popular verge collection will make a long-awaited return at a cost of $325,000. Council will be asked to vote on a new long-term financial plan for the next 10 years, with the plan predicting a return to an operating surplus position in the next five years. No amendments to the budget were introduced at council’s agenda forum on Tuesday, and councillors will next week put the motion to endorse the document to the vote.