Budget 2022-23

The 2022/23 Budget continues Vincent’s progress toward long term financial sustainability, and a maturing approach to financial and asset management.

It responds to the impact of COVID-19 on the City’s revenue during lockdowns, and more recent inflationary pressures driving up the cost of projects, materials and insurance.

Vincent also prepares for the once-in-a generation delivery of Underground Power by establishing a rolling fund to cash flow current and future projects.

We respond by proposing a 7.6% rate increase, where 2.1% supports the underground power rolling fund. As Vincent is one of Perth’s lowest rating Councils, this increase equates to $2 per week, or $104 a year for the median household.

We also propose a reduction in free parking from 1 hour to 30 minutes. This initiative alone is equivalent to a 2.8% rate increase and shifts the cost of providing parking services to those users, many of whom are non-residents. These parking changes reflect the outcomes of the Vincent Accessible City Strategy 2020 – 2030.

How much will rates increase?

The proposed rate in the dollar and minimum rates are:

• Residential - 0.08579, minimum rate of $1335.32.
• Vacant residential - 0.08191, minimum rate of $1180.
• Commercial - 0.07229, minimum payment of $1288.73.
• Vacant commercial - 0.13791, minimum rate of $1631.65.

How do we compare to other councils?

How does that support the Underground Power Rolling Fund?

In 2022/23, Vincent will work with Western Power to deliver underground power to parts of the City.

The fund will be used to manage cash flows for current and future Underground Power projects.

Covid Measures

*Rate increase over the past two years.

• Since 2020 we have kept rates increases low, while cost pressures have risen.

• Staff took a salary freeze in 2020/21 to allow a 0% rate increase and a minimal increase in 2021/22 during the peak of the Covid -19 pandemic. Going forward salary increase will help staff meet rising cost of living pressures and allow Vincent to remain competitive and retain staff.

• Since 2020 Commercial rates have been frozen to support business owners in Vincent.
• The City lost $4.7 million in revenue during Covid measures.
• The City increased Financial Hardship support at this time to do our part to support our most vulnerable community members.

Other income sources

We have explored other revenue raising activities and continue to do so to identify opportunities to raise revenue and provide the services and facilities the community enjoys.

Transition to 30 minutes free parking

The transition from one hour free parking to 30 minutes free parking in the City’s nine carparks has been identified as a low impact way to increase revenue while simultaneously taking pressure off City carparks.

• This transition would allow a greater turnover of parking and reduce pressure on popular car parks.
• Reducing the free period to 30 minutes would bring in revenue equivalent to a 2.8% rate rise across the City.
• This measure would also support our Accessible City Strategy by encouraging less car use in our town centres and promoting other transport measures when visiting town centres for extended periods of time.
• If supported, this would come into effect 1 October 2022.
• The City would put in place measures to ensure this change would not negatively effect the most vulnerable members of our community by ensuring seniors and people with babies/young children are provided for with specific provisions.
• Data shows that 83.3% of customers who visit Leederville are not City of Vincent residents.*Spendmapp data
• The City of Vincent will be trialling dedicated parking bays for seniors and parents with prams at City of Vincent paid car parks which will remain 1 hour free. Any parking bays for exclusive use of seniors and parents with prams at a City car park will be clearly marked.
• ACROD permit holders will remain exempt from paid parking and parking limits.

Submissions have now closed.

Watch the Special Council Meeting - 7 June 2022 - Differential Rating Strategy

Minutes of the meeting can be found here.