Shire of Dumbleyung ratepayers set for 5 per cent rate hike as council adopts 2022-23 annual budget

Shire of Dumbleyung councillors have approved a 5 per cent rate hike for 2022-23. They approved the annual budget, which includes the rate increase, at their July 21 meeting. Gross rental value property owners will pay 12.1327 cents per rateable dollar, while unimproved value property owners will pay 0.8263 cents per rateable dollar. The minimum rate payable will be $478. The rate rise is expected to bring in another $102,000 for the council by the end of the financial year. Dumbleyung chief executive Gavin Treasure said the “reasonable” rate rise would protect the council’s financial health. “It aligns to our council’s long-term financial plan and ensures we remain on good financial grounds into the future,” he said. Mr Treasure said inflation in Australia had increased by more than 5 per cent. The council is set to record a net surplus of $2.93 million by the end of this financial year, a substantial increase on the $803,848 surplus recorded in 2021-22. Mr Treasure said the rise was linked to funding from the State and Federal governments for the Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network. “There are three key arterial roads we hope to be upgrading over this financial year which link Dumbleyung with Kulin, Nyabing and Katanning,” he said. “It is a big project we are doing and we are doing it in challenging circumstances with labour shortages and fluctuating costs, but it is a challenge we want to take on.” Other major projects for the shire this financial year include the Dumbleyung Swimming Pool, the purchase of at least one self-contained unit for Dumbleyung Caravan Park and better internet services in the shire.