Perth Voice Interactive

LANDOWNERS in Vincent face a relatively mild 3.62 per cent rates increase this year.

Mayor John Carey says “we’ve got the lowest rates rise in seven years”.

Last year’s clocked in at 3.92 per cent, and before that it hovered in the mid-fours.

The milder increase can be put down to cash coming through from the sale of Tamala Park land, the end of pricey works at Beatty Park, and savings from a ban on councillor travel and a big drop in donations to charities and organisations.

Parking fees will shoot up 10 cents an hour, having been frozen for two years.

Councillors’ requests in the budget include Cr Ros Harley wanting $6000 to help Manna Inc continue feeding the homeless, Emma Cole requesting $5000 to pull down the fence to free the Leederville skate park, and Mr Carey’s request to put aside $25,000 to continue the streets art festival.

The mayor says the budget has been framed on the assumption the council will be “merged” with Perth mid next year but he “still hopes and prays that it falls over”.

The draft budget will go out for 14 days’ advertising before being set in stone.

by DAVID BELL