The City of Fremantle's 2022-23 budget aims to make a visible difference to both our neighbourhoods and city centre - ensuring Freo remains not only a great place to live, but also to visit - building on our unique character as a city like nowhere else in the world.
Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said the budget, adopted by Fremantle Council last night, includes commitments to investing in some of the city's favourite places, sprucing up our suburbs, making it safer and easier to get around, and bringing back the buzz to the city centre.
"We have worked hard as a Council to deliver a budget that will deliver a $115 million investment in the things that matter most to ensure Fremantle continues to be a true destination city," Mayor Fitzhardinge said.
"We are delivering on commitments to undertake major renovations to several of Fremantle's iconic facilities.
"Our investment in major community infrastructure projects includes refreshing sporting facilities, expanding capacity to encourage greater patronage and improving accessibility.
"Refreshed parks and playgrounds, along with a city-wide program of street improvements, will help make suburbs more liveable for local families.
"Our budget also invests in continuing to build on Fremantle's reputation as a destination city as we continue to attract new investment and welcome back visitors to boost spending and reignite the city centre.
"We're working to make the city cleaner, safer and more pedestrian-friendly, to ensure the Freo experience is better than ever for residents, workers and visitors.
"We want to build on the momentum of the Walyalup Koort precinct and other developments in the heart of the city, create confidence and grow our economy beyond pre-pandemic levels."
In response to the rising costs of materials, insurance and labour, and the impact of COVID-19 on the City's revenue during lockdowns, the budget includes an average rate rise of 6 per cent, which equates to around $120 per year or $2.30 per week for the average household.
This aligns with WALGA's Local Government Cost Index of 5.7 per cent and Perth's 12-month CPI of 7.6 per cent.
"We need to ensure we are setting realistic, sustainable financial plans that will help Fremantle remain a destination city - not just for our local community but for the people who visit Freo and support our economy, whether they're coming from around the corner or across the world," Mayor Fitzhardinge said.
"Rates are necessary to keep our city running. Our teams work around the clock delivering essential services, from waste and recycling collections to road works, street cleaning, public health and community safety.
"In a highly competitive environment, we need to ensure we can recruit and retain staff capable of delivering the quality programs and services our community deserves. A 3.5 per cent pay increase this year follows several years of wage freezes.
"We're also making sure we do everything we can to reduce the rate burden by tightening our belts to cut costs and boosting efforts to earn revenue through other means, such as commercial leasing, parking and increasing patronage at Fremantle Arts Centre and Fremantle Leisure Centre."
Stay up to date with the City's Budget 2022-23 activities with our handy online project map.
Investing in favourite places:
- South Beach: new toilets and changerooms as well as a beach wheelchair and matting to improve access for people with a disability.
- Fremantle Arts Centre: replacement of roofing.
- Fremantle Leisure Centre: replacement of 25-metre pool roof.
- Booyeembara Park: construction of mountain bike trails.
- Leighton Beach: New playground and upgraded car parking.
- Fremantle Golf Course: clubhouse and community facility.
- Hilton Bowling Club: new synthetic green to replace old grass green.
- Dick Lawrence Reserve: renewal of changerooms, cricket nets, lighting and irrigation.
- Port Beach: sand nourishment and coastal monitoring.
Sprucing up our suburbs:
- $1.65 million program to maintain and improve the city's roads.
- Continued program of tree and shrub planting as part of Urban Forest Plan.
- Replacement drinking fountains, lighting, shade sails, bench seats, shelters and signage at parks including Monument Hill, Parmelia Park, Alfred Park, Dick Lawrence Reserve, Samson Reserve and more.
- Hilton Underground Power: the City is contributing $1.26 million as part of a seven-year, interest-free payback scheme for benefitting households.
- Nannine Commons - Former WGV Men's Shed: reticulation to support plantings of community garden beds and continue the green corridor to Valley Park and the White Gum Valley orchard.
- Virginia Ryan Park: fencing, seats and drinking fountains to support proposed dog exercise area.
Bringing back the buzz to CBD:
- Tree planting in William Street.
- New lighting along William, Henderson and Queen Streets.
- New footpath linking Bathers Beach with Fremantle Port.
- Fremantle Biennale festival sponsorship.
- Fremantle Festival: Ten Nights in Port.
- Fremantle International Street Arts festival.
- Walyalup Koort activations and school holiday programs.
- Christmas festival celebrations.
