Motorists driving to the City of Perth will be slugged 20 cents extra per hour for parking, while property owners will be slugged an average of 6 per cent more in rates under the council’s new budget, which was released last night.
The city, however, did launch a weekend discount scheme for short-term car park users, offering 50 per cent lower rates for the first four hours at four city car parks; Pier Street, His Majesty’s, Cultural Centre and State Library.
Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said the budget had a strong focus on capital programs, with $85 million allocated for capital works.
Completion of Forrest Place was allocated $11 million, an affordable housing project in East Perth $9.2 million, and $13 million has been set aside for the new Cathedral Square library and plaza.
“This long identified major civic building will ultimately draw people into a historic, but currently under used precinct that will be reborn and create a much-needed open space area on our city’s east side,” Ms Scaffidi said.
Ms Scaffidi said the city’s revenue was expected to be $167 million, with an operating surplus of $20 million.
Due to anticipated falls in investment earnings, Ms Scaffidi said it was necessary to increase property rates by an average of 6 per cent.
Commercial rates will increase to 4.876 cents in the dollar, office to 2,565 cents/dollar, residential to 3.898 cents/dollar and vacant land to 5.13 cents/dollar.
