Our March Council meeting took place at 5pm on Tuesday 26 March. As usual these updates are my personal opinion only and do not reflect the official position of the City nor my colleagues on Council. You can view a livestream of the meeting by clicking here.
Free parking continues in the City
You may have heard news last week that we were considering changes to our parking rates.
Council has thankfully ensured the free parking campaign continues for 3 hours free each weekend and on public holidays at His Majesty's, the Cultural Centre and Pier Street car parks operated by the City of Perth.
We have also continued our FREE parking campaign after 6pm any night of the year, in any City of Perth bay, either on-street or in our car parks.
This represents a $10 million investment from Council each year - it's the money we forgo to keep this campaign running.
However, Council also voted to increase parking fees on-street and in our car parks outside of these times above (50 cents per hour, or $1 per day) for two primary reasons:
- We need this business to be strong and profitable to keep our rates bill as low as possible each year while investing in our upcoming infrastructure projects, and
- At the same time, we also need income to reinvest in this business, to upgrade technology to reduce internal costs long term, and keep up with rising external costs such as the State Government's ever-increasing Perth Parking Levy. We now pay over $18.5 million each year - that comes from each ticket.
East Perth Primary School
Council has always wanted to see a primary school in East Perth. Every candidate spoke about it when it came to our first election in 2020. We included this in our Local Planning Strategy which was approved by the State Government in 2023.
However, the deal put to us by the State Government and the money offered for a ratepayer owned asset worth $40 million was not acceptable to Council.
When I say money offered, the grand total put forward by the Education Minister was $0.00. After several rounds of negotiation, there was no compromise shown.
I could not say yes to the deal in front of us. I encourage you to read the full report provided to Council which includes all supporting information in which this decision was based.
The door is not closed - the Premier can intervene here with a fair deal and we will reconsider it immediately.
I also encourage you to watch the Lord Mayor's speech on the issue.
2024/25 Events Plan
Council approved a $7.1 million events program for the coming financial year. Anchored by our Christmas and Summer season led by the City of Light shows and our Christmas Lights Trail, this program builds on the 2023/24 season which brought more people into the City than ever before.
A new pathway for event ideas to become reality
Have you got a new or unique event idea you want to raise with us? Have you got something you know will add value to our calendar of events each year? Council has supported the creation of a new ideation pathway for proponents to get the support they need to see their event or activation idea turn into a reality.
The new process provides for separation between the initial stage of idea/proposal formation; from the assessment process; and decision-making.
The policy provides the ability to support events and activations with access to City assets, resources, and funding.
This has been developed to provide flexibility and minimise barriers to entry in order to encourage innovation where there is benefit to the City.
*Stay tuned for more information on how to take advantage of this new pathway*
Heritage Rates Concession & Grants
Council has extended its $4 million investment into our Heritage Adaptive Reuse Grants program. This aims to support, assist and encourage property owners to activate the vacant upper floors, basements and other underutilised spaces of heritage buildings in the central business district. Find out more if your building qualifies by clicking here.
Council also supported my amendment to keep the Heritage Rates Concession going for another year. This concession is an efficient way of helping ratepayers pay for maintenance and upkeep of their heritage property. Any change to this system would negatively impact on approximately 200 heritage properties around the City.
As usual if you need any help with the City please give me a call on 0406 681 432 or email brent.fleeton@cityofperth.wa.gov.au