City of Greater Geraldton councillors to vote on 2024-25 budget and proposed 3.9 per cent rates rise

City of Greater Geraldton ratepayers are facing a rates hike of 3.9 per cent as the council prepares to vote through its “balanced” 2024-25 budget next week. The city’s latest budget has a particular focus on road infrastructure and renewal. The draft budget was discussed at the council’s agenda forum on Tuesday, revealing a proposed rates rise of 3.9 per cent across the locality, which will see the city operate with a deficit of $1.28 million. The rates rise in 2023-24 was 3 per cent. City director of corporate services Paul Radalj said the council remained focused on crafting a balanced budget which kept rates low while meeting the community’s aspirations. The 2024-25 budget proposes a $19.1m spend on road, footpath and drainage renewals, which is the biggest expenditure for the city in the coming financial year. Goulds, Nangetty-Walkaway, Flores and Place roads have been allocated $450,000 each in grants funding for renewal and repairs. The $5.8m Geraldton Airport Solar Microgrid project has been allocated another $1.5m from city reserves. Budget documents state: “Major funding has been secured for a solar and battery microgrid at the airport, with the project planned construction phase to commence early in the 2024-25 financial year.” This aims to provide the airport precinct and emergency services operations continuous green power and resilience in the case of major catastrophic events such as experienced following cyclone Seroja in 2021. Sporting and recreation facilities will be allocated $8.12m for renewal works under the 2024-25 budget. A sum of $4m has been set aside for the renewal of ageing equipment at the Stow Gardens playground and youth precinct area, while $340,000 has been allocated to the renewal of Alexander Park. A project which will see the replacement of the Nangetty-Walkaway bridge will be allocated $7.6m if councillors vote to approve the budget. “Further investment has also been allocated to progress the design and planning for Maitland Park Precinct traffic improvements,” Mr Radalj said, with $2.3m provided for that project design. Mr Radalj confirmed the city’s total revenue amounted to $100.095m, with a forecast expenditure of $101.377m. The project to turn the old Rocky’s Gym near the PCYC into a youth centre has been given $1.5m in this budget while the city pursues a $630,000 Lotterywest grant. Rovers Football Club has been allotted a $375,000 boost to help upgrade toilet and change room facilities, while $80,000 has been budgeted for the installation of the restored yellow submarine. Three major projects will be funded by city reserves, including the airport microgrid, Maitland Park traffic initiative, and $2m for a caravan and holiday park in Mahomets Flats. Staff costs have risen from $32m in 2023-24 to a projected $37.68m in 2024-25. Rates are expected to bring in a total revenue of $54.42m — a more than $2m increase on the $52.06m collected in 2023-24. Councillors will vote on the budget at next Tuesday’s council meeting.