Budget 2023-2024
The City of Busselton adopted the 2023-2024 Annual Budget on the 26 July 2023 – investing $160 million across a range of services, facilities and projects that are important to our key strategic themes - natural environment, lifestyle, and the creation of opportunities across the City.
The City’s budget pays for everyday community services and facilities we all use - safe roads, vibrant parks and playgrounds, waste management, community safety, and much more, to help make this a great place to live, work and raise a family.
Annual Budget 2023-2024
Annual Budget Summary
Budget Highlights
Figures represent both operational and capital works funding streams from the 2023/24 Budget. Numbers have been rounded for accessibility.
Capital Works 2023-2024
We continue to invest in the maintenance of our substantial asset base and have committed $59m for capital works to meet our growing community’s needs.
Through the capital works program $11.1 million will be invested in roads and drainage, including a $2 million upgrade to Bussell Highway and major upgrades to Jalbarragup Road, Payne Road, North Jindong Road, and Commonage Road, including the provision of a cycle lane from Dolphin Road to Little Colin Street and intersection improvements. $1.8 million is reserved for footpath improvements including widening and realignment of the shared coastal path between Forth street to Holgate reserve.
A further $7.3 million will be invested in recreation and reserves including continuation of Dunsborough Lakes Sporting Precinct Stage 1, upgrade of the Churchill Park oval, the development of a memorial at Rotary Park, and the installation of new shade sails to improve playgrounds. Completion of Saltwater Busselton, budgeted at $20.7 million, will see the City’s cultural precinct thrive, supporting the City as Events Capital of WA.
This is just some of what’s to come for the City of Busselton over the next 12 months.
FAQs
How does the City calculate the annual budget?
Our annual budget is calculated based on available funding sources for the financial year ahead, including:
- Grants
- Reserves
- Fees and charges
- Interest revenue
- Loans
- State and federal government funding
- Rates
We always aim to keep rate increases to a minimum, but as costs to keep the City running rise, modest rate increases are needed to support the growth and maintenance of our large City and keep services and facilities we all use every day running.
How does the City decide how to use the budget?
From major infrastructure projects to keeping our neighbourhoods clean, green and tidy, our budget provides free facilities and services we can all use every day.
Council is guided by a number of strategy documents such as the Strategic Community Plan, a 10-year plan developed in collaboration with residents, community groups and local business to ensure City expenditure is aligned with community priorities.
It also includes funding to support the success of our local sporting clubs, community groups, not-for-profit service providers and local businesses.
In developing our annual budget, we first review our operating costs, taking into account any external cost increases. For example, the State Government’s electricity tariff, which will increase by 12 per cent in 2023/24.
Some projects have to be undertaken to make sure we can meet our community’s needs and maintain a safe City for our residents and visitors, and we allocate funds for these essential services first.
We then review how we can implement efficiencies to help lower costs for other services and programs, such as reducing the frequency of mowing our parks in summer.
How does the City decide on the amount of rates income required?
Required rates income is determined by forecasting the amount of money needed for the infrastructure and the services and facilities our community relies on and expects.
City income is not generated through rates alone, and forecasting may include a combination of income streams including state and federal government funding, reserves, income generated from fees and charges and interest revenue.
How does the City calculate my rates?
Please visit our Rates FAQ page which will you give all the information around rates.
Rates FAQs
Related Information
Media Release - Annual Budget 2023-2024
Annual Budgets and Schedule of Fees and Charges