Life in the Park Budget Edition 2015/2016

WHAT’S INSIDE THIS ISSUE...

vic toriapark .wa .g ov. au

BUDGET AT A GLANCE

FIRE SEASON

RATES UP CLOSE

RATES PRIZE DRAW!

BUDGET EDITION

2015/2016

Rates Prize Draw — Pay your rates early and WIN your share in $5000 worth of prizes!

Message from the Mayor His Worship the Mayor Trevor Vaughan 9311 8155 0447 374 528

With local government reform now behind us I am excited for a fresh start for the next year. We have many exciting projects and activities planned for the coming financial year; some of which are summarised here, but you can read them in detail in the Annual Budget available on the Town’s website.

In recent years, the Town has grown exponentially in terms of population, development, visitor numbers and value.

We are achieving the mission of the Town being a vibrant destination for people to live, work and play and naturally this, coupled with an increasing population, results in a significant increase in demand for services.

The Town has endeavoured to provide innovative, creative and inclusive events, programs, activities and services to grow our community and the sense of ownership felt by all who come here.

To continue to provide the level of exceptional service we strive for, the Town has increased rates by 8% for 2015/2016 in accordance with our future financial planning.

A large part of the projected rate increase is associated with improving and maintaining the Town’s current assets. Proactive actions like costsaving where possible, budget cuts across all areas and a hold on new staff positions have occurred.

Council has agreed that an 8% increase in rates for this year combined with proactive cost-saving activity will provide the resources to deliver our Strategic Community Plan and maintain the high standard of service and facilities our community expects and deserves.

Mayor, Trevor Vaughan

Your Councillors Banksia Ward

Cr Claire Anderson Deputy Mayor 9472 9947 0416 199 745 Term exp: Oct.2015

Jarrah Ward

Cr John Bissett

Cr Keith Hayes

Cr Mark Windram Cr Vince Maxwell

9361 9222 0418 901 977

9361 0385

9470 4144

Term exp: Oct.2015

Term exp: Oct.2017

Term exp: Oct.2017

Cr Vin Nairn

Cr Brian Oliver

Cr Vicki Potter

0427 962 855

9361 2662 9472 7991

0435 229 317

9361 5464 0433 704 140

Term exp: Oct.2017

Term exp: Oct.2015

Term exp: Oct.2017

Term exp: Oct. 2015

Where do my rates go?

Your rates are not a voluntary contribution to the Town, but should be looked at as an investment in the community where you live. Every year when you pay your rates, you ensure that you and your family have access to dozens of services and facilities provided by the Town.

Some of these include: • Victoria Park Library • Aqualife and Leisurelife Centres • well‑maintained parks and facilities (playgrounds, BBQs, toilets, etc.)

• policing of Local Laws • animal control • access to sporting reserves • public art programs • free community events 1

• • • •

community health and safety initiatives Town planning waste collection street and road maintenance

The Town works with State and Local Government to bring projects, development and funding to better the community for everyone. Your rates enable us to provide the very best services for all residents to enjoy a happy, healthy and vibrant community.

Differential Rates Q&A Does the Town have differential rates – what are they?

In 2014 the Town introduced differential rating for the first time. In simple terms, differential rates mean that there is a different rate for different groups e.g. residential, commercial, and industrial. In 2014 differential rates were introduced as a result of the State’s Valuer General determining that residential property values in the area had increased by 26% as opposed to commercial (14%) and industrial (15%).

Local Government rates are tied to the State’s Valuer General determination. Without the introduction of differential rates the necessary rates increase would have burdened residents significantly more.

Why have my rates increased?

As the Town’s population grows, it is true that we receive more rates revenue. However we also have an increased demand for services, higher usage of our roads, parks, and public buildings which leads to more maintenance and service. We have a vision to provide exceptional and innovative services to our community and we need the resources to do so.

In recent years, the cost of some utilities and services passed down by the State Government has increased more than the rate of inflation and we need to fill that gap.

Many of the Town’s assets are requiring increasing service and maintenance as they age which the Town currently doesn’t have the money in reserve for. The Long Term Financial Plan aims to bridge this gap, and increasing rates is a part of achieving this.

How are my rates calculated?

RATE (cents in $ set by Town)

VALUATION (set by Valuer General)

YEARLY FEES

Rate - The Town charges a differential rate across properties in the Town. The rates are calculated to provide the income to fund next year’s budget which also takes into account the other sources of income that the Town has.

The charge includes the rubbish service charge.

Valuation - Every three years the Valuer General assesses all the rateable properties within the Town. The valuation is a fair and independent assessment of the rental earning potential for the property. The property is therefore rated by its current earning potential, rather than its re-sale value. For further information about the valuation of your property, contact the Valuer Generals office on 9273 7373.

Yearly Fees - Yearly fees are clearly marked on your rates notice and include the Emergency Services Levy (ESL) - charged to all property owners in Western Australia to fund fire and emergency services in the region. The Town collects this levy on behalf of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) who then redistribute the money to emergency services throughout the state.

For further information please refer to the ESL section of the DFES website (www.dfes.wa.gov.au) or free-call 1300 136 099.

Additional Costs Paying by instalments will incur additional costs. Payment received after the due date will incur late payment penalty interest. Pensioners do not pay any fees or interest on instalment payments or late payments.

Late Payment Penalty Interest Administration Fee (instalments) Instalment Interest

11%p.a. $30 5.5%

Changed your address?

If you have moved house within the past 12 months, please ensure the Town has your current address for delivery of your rate notice. Contact us: by post

Town of Victoria Park, Locked Bag 437, Victoria Park, WA 6979

by email

admin@vicpark.wa.gov.au

online

www.victoriapark.wa.gov.au

2

3

Mr J. Smith & Mrs J. Smith PO Box 100 PERTH WA 6000

admin@vicpark.wa.gov.au

Administration Centre 99 Shepperton Road Victoria Park WA 6100

VALUATION TYPE GRV

PAYMENT OPTIONS Option 1 – Payment in Full Option 2 – Payment in FOUR instalments

TOTAL GST: $0.00

DETAILS Residential Rates ESL

MINIMUM RATE $1112.00 ARREARS

RATE cent in $ 7.41

tax invoice

TOTAL DUE

CURRENT $1112.00 $136.77

DEFERRED

ESL Category & Usage Category 1 – Residential

WARD: JARRAH

$1248.77

TOTAL $1112.00 $136.77

ESL Cents in $ 1.23

DUE DATE 4 September 2015

DATE OF ISSUE 29 July 2015

ASSESSMENT WARD: NUMBER 123456

DUE DATE

DATE OF ISSUE

DUE BY: 4 September 2015 Total Option 1: $1248.77 Instalment 1 DUE BY: 4 September 2015 $312.19 Instalment 2 DUE BY: 8 November 2015 $312.19 Instalment 3 DUE BY: 12 January 2016 $312.19 Instalment 4 DUE BY: 17 March 2016 $312.19 Cost of Instalment Option 2: $58.90

8736

VALUATION

(08) 9311 8111 (08) 9311 8181

tax invoice victoriapark.wa.gov.au

Locked Bag No. 437 Ph Fx Victoria Park WA 6979 ASSESSMENT ABN 77 284 859 739 NUMBER

PROPERTY ADDRESS: 123 Lucky Street, EAST VICTORIA PARK WA 6101

FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION SEE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS NOTICE

PROPERTY ADDRESS:

rate notice

FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION SEE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS NOTICE

rate notice

L P M SA

Valuation GRV (Gross Rental Value). See page 2 of this newsletter for further information about the value of your property.

3.

Cost of Option The cost of option for paying by instalments is a combination of your rates, the $30 administration fee, and

ESL The Emergency Services Levy rate in the $ is set by the State Government and is paid by all property owners.

See page 2 for further information.

Due Date is the final date for payments in full, or the first instalment, if paying by instalments.

Town contact details If you need to contact the Town for any reason, use these details to do so. The Town website is full of information about all of the Town’s facilities and services.

2.

1.

4.

Please contact the Town if unable to pay in full or by instalments

$1248.77

Administration Office Hours 99 Shepperton Rd Monday to Friday Victoria ParkDUE WA 8.30am to 4.30pm AMOUNT

(PAYMENT IN FULL)

PROPERTY ADDRESS

PAY BY POST Town of Victoria Park Locked Bag 437 Victoria Park WA 6979

DUE: 4 September 2015

NOTE: $10,000 Credit Card maximum

DUE: 4 September 2015

EAST VICTORIA PARK WA 6101

AMOUNT DUE $312.19 (INSTALMENT) CUSTOMER REFERENCE PAY IN NUMBER PERSON Cashier

AMOUNT DUE (PAYMENT IN FULL)

PROPERTY ADDRESS

Instalment Dates These are the due dates for each payment if you choose to pay in instalments. You will receive a reminder notice in the mail before each instalment is due and it must be paid by the printed date. Pensioners pay zero fees or interest on instalment payments.

the 5.5% interest paid on your rate amount.

AMOUNT DUE payment from account.

These are your options foryour the nominated different ways to pay your rates.(INSTALMENT) Please make sure you take careful note of the details if you are using the Town’s website, BPAY or Post Billpay and enter them correctly. You can pay in person at the Town Administration Centre with EFTPOS, cheque or cash – American Express is not accepted.

BILLER Remember to BILLPAY bring your RatesCODE: Notice.0617 If you wish to pay by post, the detached payment slip from your Rates and a cheque for the amount you are paying.

PAY Notice

BY POST PAY mail IN PERSON Cashier REFbe#:made payable to ‘Town of Victoria Park’. IfAdministration Cheques should you would like toOffice pay your rates online but don’t know how, Digital Hub runs training sessions Town of Victoriathe Park Hours Pay in person at an Australia Post on making online payments.

Locked Bag 437 99 Shepperton Rd Monday to Friday outlet, by phone on 13 18 16, or online at Victoria Park WA 6979 Victoria Park WA 8.30am to 4.30pm postbillpay.com.au

Payment Methods Contact your financial institution to make

REF #:

MASTERCARD & VISA ONLY Post Pay in person at an Australia outlet, by phone on 13 18 16, or online at postbillpay.com.au BPAY BILLER CODE: 18176

REF #: BILLPAY BILLER CODE: 0617 Pay online at victoriapark.wa.gov.au REF #:

payment from your nominated account.

payment methods Contact your financial institution to make

BPAY BILLER CODE: 18176 REF #:

MASTERCARD & VISA ONLY

Under the Bush Fires Act 1954, all property owners and occupiers of land in the Town must establish and maintain firebreaks from 1 November to 30 April each year. During this time, properties – including residential, industrial and vacant land PAY YOUR RATES IN FULL BY 4 SEPTEMBER 2015 AND YOU WILL by BElaw ENTERED INTO RATES PRIZE DRAW – are required to comply withTHE firebreak specifications.

TO WIN A GREAT PACKAGE. SEE THE ENCLOSED NEWSLETTER FURTHER The maximum penalty for failure toFOR correctly install INFORMATION. a firebreak is $10,000.

To find out if you are required to install a fire-break on your property, obtain a copy of the Firebreaks Notice, –or FIREBREAK for further information on Firebreaks, ALL PROPERTY OWNERS REQUIREMENTS contact Rangers on 9311 8171, email admin@vicpark.wa.gov.au Under the Bush Fires Act 1954, all property owners and occupiers of land in the or visit the Town’s website at victoriapark.wa.gov.au Town must establish and maintain firebreaks from 1 November to 30 April each year. During this time, properties – including residential, industrial and vacant land – are required by law to comply with firebreak specifications.

The maximum penalty for failure to correctly install a firebreak is $10,000. payment methods NOTE: $10,000 Credit Card maximum To find out if you are required to install a fire-break on your property, obtain a copy of the Firebreaks Notice, or for further information on Firebreaks, CUSTOMER 123456 REF #: 123456 contact Rangers REFERENCE NUMBER on 9311 8171, email admin@vicpark.wa.gov.au Pay online at victoriapark.wa.gov.au or visit the website at victoriapark.wa.gov.au 123 Town’s Lucky Street,

ALL PROPERTY OWNERS – FIREBREAK REQUIREMENTS

PAY YOUR RATES IN FULL BY 4 SEPTEMBER 2015 AND YOU WILL BE ENTERED INTO THE RATES PRIZE DRAW TO WIN A GREAT PACKAGE. SEE THE ENCLOSED NEWSLETTER FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

Option 3 – Payment Arrangement

Y L N O LE

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Budget at a Glance Some key features of this year’s budget include; • Strategic Community Plan Review There will be a major review of the Strategic Community Plan to ensure that we are providing the right services to the community in the most efficient and effective way.

• Major Road, Drainage and Park Works At several locations around the Town including new bus shelters, new park lighting, revegetation, asphalt overlay works, pathways and drainage renewal.

• Taking place-activation to other parts of the Town Activation of commercial precincts outside of Albany Highway including Lathlain Place, Archer Street, Etwell Street and Burswood. Look out for some quirky place activation projects in these areas and if you’re a part of a local community group get in touch with the Town about your ideas for activating these places.

Information for Pensioners and Seniors

• Mobile Computing Roll-out of mobile devices to allow Town employees to do business on the road and from remote locations to save time and money and reduce paper waste.

• Customer Relations Management System Installation of a new customer relationship management system to engage and support the community and understand their customer service experiences and expectations.

• Lathlain Precinct Redevelopment Project (LPRP) The construction of a new community building to accommodate the local playgroup, toy library and enable the delivery of infant health services is proposed for completion in 2015 - 2016.

A general upgrade of the Scouts building, the provision of additional storage and access improvements to, and within, the building is proposed to take place this year.

• Major Building Asset Renewal and Upgrade Leisurelife: facility and equipment upgrades including new health and fitness equipment; upgrades to the ventilation in high traffic areas, including the café and spin studio; and introducing energy saving initiatives across the facility to assist in the reduction of utility costs.

Aqualife: the hydrotherapy pool area and change rooms will be tiled and the shower areas given a face lift, with the main aquatic flooring replacement being planned for late 2015 - 2016. Fitness programming is also being reviewed to provide better customer service by gym staff on the gym floor.

• Fraser Park Lighting As part of its ongoing renewal program for flood lighting on active reserves, the Town aims to complete this lighting project in the 2015 - 2016 financial year.

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SENIORS CARD The holder is a valued member of our community.

Please extend every courtesy and assistance.

AUTHORISED SIGNATURE

Rebates are available for eligible concession card holders who own and reside at the property at 1 July of the rates year.

• Pensioner Concession or State Concession Card holders can receive a rebate of up to 50% on rates charges.

• State Seniors Card holders can receive a rebate of up to 25% (to a maximum of $284.71).

• If you are a holder of both a State Seniors Card and a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card you can also receive a rebate of up to 50%.

Retrospective rebates are also available to pensioners and seniors who own and occupy their property at 1 July 2015 and become eligible during the financial year.

If your circumstances change (e.g. card type, pension type or change of address) you must notify the Town immediately.

To apply for the concession card holder rebate, you must lodge an application with the Water Corporation: 1300 659 951 or watercorporation.com.au If you have any questions you can contact the Water Corporation as above, or the Town on 9311 8111.

RATES PRIZE DRAW

WIN

You’ve heard of the expression the early bird catches the worm?! If you pay your rates by 4 September 2015 then you will automatically go into the draw to win one of the great prizes below!

There will be one winner of each prize package.

PAY IN FULL

CASH PAY BY INSTALMENT

Package One:

$2000 cash+ One year full gym membership for use at Aqualife and Leisurelife which includes full access to the pool, gym and group fitness classes at both centres for 12 months (valued at $940)

Package Two:

Package Three:

$1000 cash+

$500 cash+

$500 worth of gift vouchers to local businesses within the Town of Victoria Park

$250 worth of gift vouchers to local businesses within the Town of Victoria Park

For full terms and conditions please visit the Town’s website at: victoriapark.wa.gov.au

Payment Options There are three options for paying your rates: 1: In full within 35 days

2: By instalment

Payment can be made in full within 35 days to avoid paying any interest charges for instalments or administration fees. By paying before 4 September you will automatically go into the draw to win one of the Rates Prize Draw packages.

Paying by instalment allows you to break your rates up into more manageable payments. You can pay in four instalments over the financial year. Paying by instalments will incur additional fees. The options for paying by instalments are found on your rates notice.

3: By payment arrangement

If you are unable to pay your rates in full or by instalments please contact the Rates Department to discuss your options.

If you have any questions about paying your rates please call a member of the Rates Team on 9311 8111.

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Are you ready for fire season?

Each year, property owners have a legal obligation to make sure that their properties comply with firebreak requirements.

Firebreaks must be in place from November until 30 April each year.

During this time, all properties including residential, industrial and vacant land are required to comply with the legal requirements. The maximum penalty for failing to install a firebreak is $10,000.

The type of firebreak you must have depends on the size of your property.

Properties 2000m² or less must have all loose flammable matter removed from the property (clear debris and dead leaves, prune branches near fence lines).

For land larger than 2000m²:

2. Firebreaks to a minimum width of three metres and height of three metres are to be cleared immediately surrounding all buildings situated on the land and any place where inflammable liquids and gas products are kept.

For further information contact the Town’s Ranger Team on 9311 8171 or email admin@vicpark.wa.gov.au

1. Firebreaks of a minimum width and height of three metres are to be cleared inside all external boundaries of the land.

Town Contacts Facility

What can I do here?

Town of Victoria Park 9311 8111 • Planning applications / approvals Administration Centre • Dog registrations 99 Shepperton Road, Victoria Park • Council information admin@vicpark.wa.gov.au www.victoriapark.wa.gov.au

• • • •

Waste information Council Meetings Pay infringements / rates notices Report lost animals

Victoria Park Library 9373 5500 27 Sussex Street, East Victoria Park

• Public computers & printers • Town / community information

• Books, DVDs, CDs, e-readers, mags • Local History information

Aqualife 9373 5400 Somerset Street, East Victoria Park

• Indoor 25m & outdoor 50m pools • Children’s indoor leisure pool • Gym

• Swim school • Café / Crèche • Group fitness / Personal training

Leisurelife 9373 5450 Cnr Kent Street and Gloucester Street East Victoria Park

• Gym • Sports teams • Hire sports / squash courts

• School holiday programs • Bingo • Children’s birthday parties

Victoria Park Digital Hub 1 Harper Street, Victoria Park

• Individual / group sessions • Free computer training

• Business development & training

9329 4238

Victoria Park Pound 9311 8171 199 Thelma Street, South Perth

• Lost animals

Report It 9311 8111 After hours message service available

• Potholes • Abandoned cars

• Litter / dumped rubbish • Graffiti

rate notice ARE YOU INTERESTED IN RECEIVING YOUR RATES NOTICE VIA EMAIL? Go to victoriapark.wa.gov.au/rates to register your interest.

This information is available in alternative formats on request