Council Plans for Rates Reduction
The City of Mitcham is inviting feedback from the community on the draft Annual Business Plan, Budget and Long Term Financial Plan 2020/21 with an overall rate reduction.
The plans are based on providing targeted relief in the form of a 10 per cent reduction in rates for COVID-19 impacted ratepayers at an estimated cost to the budget of $1.4m, funded by financial savings and efficiencies and a non COVID-19 rate of 1.91 per cent.
The 0.64 per cent reduction in rates revenue builds on a range of targeted measures introduced by Council to support ratepayers experiencing financial hardship including a decision to waive fourth quarter rates for COVID-affected ratepayers and the ability to defer rate payments until 15 December 2020.
Mayor Dr Heather Holmes-Ross said the plan focused on providing support to residents hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic while delivering important services to the community.
“We are committed to providing a 10% rate relief to our residents who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in an overall reduction in rates,” she said.
Council is also seeking feedback on significant new investments including The draft Plan delivers new investments including a $20 million integrated Blackwood Community Hub and Library, upgrading of sporting facilities such as Karinya Reserve, Flinders City Bikeway and Kingswood Oval at a cost of $5 million, as well as environmental initiatives including tree planting, water sensitive urban design and stormwater network upgrade of $1.8 million.
Key new services proposed in 2020/21 include:
- Blackwood Community Hub $20 million (funding support of $5 million from Federal Government)
- Karinya Reserve Sport Facilities Upgrade $2.8 million (funding support of $2 million from Federal Government)
- Kingswood Oval Development $2 million (funding support of $500,000 from Federal Government and $90,000 from State Government)
- Stormwater upgrades $887,000
- New footpaths $750,000
- Brownhill Keswick Creek $537,000
- Water Sensitive Urban Design $125,000
- Sturt Liner Shared Use Path $100,000
“Feedback from our community is important and I urge all residents to make time to review the draft Annual Business Plan, Budget and Long Term Financial Plan 2020/21 and provide your comments to us.”