Budget Bulletin 2020 - 2021 Shire of East Pilbara
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SHIRE OF EAST PILBARA Budget Bulletin 2020 - 2021 Shire of East Pilbara CONTENTS The Shire of East Pilbara is the largest Shire in the Australia covering approximately From the President 1 372,571 square kilometres; larger than the state of Victoria. Driving will take two days Economic Relief Package 2 to cross from east to west and six hours COVID-19 & Rates 3 from north to south. Putting it into perspective 4 Pay your rates and WIN 5 Receive your rates electronically 5 Budget report 6 Budget breakdown 7 Capital expenditure 8 Sewerage rates 8 Major projects 9 Pensioners and Seniors 9 Your rates 10 Events and holidays in the Shire 1 1 Your rate notice under the microscope 12 Your Shire Councillors 13 Budget Bulletin 2020-21 1 From the President Thank you for taking the time to read our Budget Bulletin for 2020-21 which contains important information about how Council is utilising your rates to ensure the Shire of East Pilbara remains a prosperous place to work and live. No one could have foreseen the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to everyone across the globe, including our region. The Councillors, CEO and Shire staff worked extremely hard to protect and support our community during these times and did a wonderful job with the implementation of a number of supportive measures across our region. Lynne Craigie OAM Shire President Importantly, to help combat the economic impact of the pandemic, the Shire of East Pilbara implemented “Regenerate Together”; an unprecedented COVID-19 response relief package with a suite of measures totalling over $8.5 million dollars. Our 2020-2021 budget is another reflection of our commitment to continue to help our region regenerate after this challenging period. This year as promised, there is 0% rate increase to Council rates and a 0% fees and charges increase. The budget also includes an extensive $24 million capital works program including more than $6.2 million allocated to the Newman Water Treatment Plant Upgrade, ensuring our essential infrastructure is renewed, and our ovals and parks remain green. We have also allocated one million dollars towards the Newman Caravan Park which will be of enormous benefit visitors and tourists to our region. Every year, Council carefully and methodically prepare the budget to make the most of the money we have to support our communities and ensure the people we serve receive the benefit of this planning. My sincere thanks to all Shire staff and Councillors who have worked so hard to make sure the 2020-2021 budget will successfully see us through the next financial year. Cr Lynne Craigie OAM Shire President 2 Shire of East Pilbara Economic Relief Package Responding to COVID-19 Regenerate Together Earlier this year the Shire of East Pilbara announced an unprecedented COVID-19 response package in the East Pilbara, with a suite of measures totaling over $8.5 million dollars was approved by council in April 2020. “I am proud of our ‘Regenerate Together’ package, endorsed by Council. The package delivers over $1.5 million of relief measures targeting those hardest hit by the crisis, designed to help individuals and small business ease the burden from forced closures and job losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic” Shire President Lynne Craigie OAM. Economic Relief Package The regenerate together relief package will be implemented over the 2019/20 and 2020/21 financial years. There are a number of elements to the package to benefit the entire community across the region. Below are some of the benefits to assist ratepayers in the Shire. Rates Council commited $616,000 to assist residents with rate payments. These include: + Freezing rate increases for the 2020-21 financial year + Waiver of fees associated with rates installment payments* + Waiver of penalty interest on 2020-21 rates* + Increased flexible payment options* + No decrease to rate concession percentages + Suspend debt collection for six months *For eligible ratepayers Ratepayers experiencing financial hardship are encouraged to complete a hardship application. The application can be found on the Shire website or you can call 9175 8000 for a copy. http://www.eastpilbara.wa.gov.au/COVID-19-East-Pilbara-Update/Regenerate-Together-Relief Budget Bulletin 2020-21 3 How it helps with your rates Below is a brief summary of what is involved in the Shire’s economic relief package. More information is available at www.eastpilbara.wa.gov.au Freezing Rates for the 2020-21 Financial Year To ensure no additional financial burden is placed on ratepayers in the 2020-2021 financial year the Shire of East Pilbara will be freezing rate increases. The Shire of East Pilbara will offer a 5% refund on rates payments to all owner/occupiers, local businesses and pastoralists in the 2020/21 financial year. If you are an eligible ratepayer (owner/occupiers, local businesses and pastoralists) contact our Rates Department, they will send you an application form to access the 5% refund. Remain at the 2019-20 Concession Percentages Some rate payers are eligible for rates concession (discount), the discount was due to be decreased this year, so affected ratepayers would have paid more. To reduce financial burden the Shire will not be decreasing the rates concession this year, reducing the cost for affected rate payers. The Shire’s Rates Department will notify rate payers that will benefit from the concession percentages remaining in place. Waiver of Fees Associated with Rates Instalment Payments for Ratepayers Facing Financial Hardship Rates instalment fees and interest will be waived for the 2020-21 financial year for ratepayers experiencing hardship. Ratepayers experiencing financial hardship are encouraged to complete a hardship application form, available from our Rates Department to apply for the installment fee to be waived. The Shire of East Pilbara hopes reducing the financial impost associated with entering a rates payment arrangement for ratepayers already facing financial hardship, reduces any additional financial stress. Waive Penalty Interest on 2020-21 Rates for Those Facing Financial Hardship Penalty interest on rates and debts will be waived for the 2020-21 financial year for ratepayers experiencing hardship. Ratepayers experiencing financial hardship are encouraged to complete a hardship application form, available from our Rates Department to apply for this penalty interest to be waived. The Shire of East Pilbara aims to provide respite to ratepayers experiencing financial hardship by waiving any additional fees associated with late payments. Increase Flexible Payment Options for Rate Payers and Debtors who Qualify Under the Financial Hardship Policy The Shire of East Pilbara has adopted a Financial Hardship Framework which is specific to COVID-19 financial hardship considerations. Under the framework, the Shire of East Pilbara is committed to offer fair, equitable and dignified support to rates debtors experiencing financial hardship as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ratepayers experiencing financial hardship are encouraged to complete a hardship application to access the increased flexible payment options. Please contact the rates Department for a copy of the form. 4 Shire of East Pilbara Budget report Where does the Shire’s money come from? Operating revenue $ General Purpose Funding 16,115,300 Governance 116,800 Law, Order and Public Safety 673,100 Operating revenue Health 86,800 $51,314,200 Education and Welfare 10,500 Housing 301,600 Community Amenities 7,393,100 Recreation and Culture 2,183,600 Transport 22,071,900 Economic Services 2,151,300 Other Property and Services 210,200 Total operating revenue $51,314,200 Budget Bulletin 2020-21 5 Budget breakdown Where is the money spent? $5,922,800 $12,903,300 $1,262,300 Community Amenities Recreation and Culture Law, Order and Public Operation and control of cemeteries, To establish and effectively manage Safety public conveniences, rubbish collection infrastructure and resources which will To provide services to help ensure a services, landfill sites, noise control, help the social and physical wellbeing safer and environmentally conscious administration of Council’s Local Planning of the community. These services and community. Scheme, and associated policies and facilities include recreation and rural obligations. fitness centres and pools in Newman and Marble Bar. $536,200 $22,320,700 $2,518,900 Health Transport Education and Welfare To provide an operational framework for Maintenance of airports, roads, drainage Support for our communities, including environmental and community health works, footpaths, parking facilities and children, young people, families and those including compliance. To support the traffic signs. living with a disability. wellbeing of our communities. $389,400 $700,200 $781,300 General Purpose Governance Housing Funding Expenditure associated with Shire To provide and maintain housing. Governance and elected members. To collect revenue to allow for the provisions of services. $1,398,700 $2,546,600 $51,347,400 Other Properties and Economic Services To help promote the Shire and its Services economic wellbeing. TOTAL OPERATING Private works, administration costs, public This includes tourism support, building works overheads, plant operation costs, services and controls, caravan parks and EXPENSES and other unclassified works and services. bus services. 6 Shire of East Pilbara Capital expenditure Capital expenditure $ Land & Buildings 2,287,000 Plant & Equipment 1,793,000 Furniture & Equipment 105,000 Capital