A LOT OF HYPE ABOUT THE FREMANTLE BUDGET

The media release about the budget for the 2022/23 financial year, that Fremantle Council adopted last night, is full of great things Council is planning to do, but what is really new in all the plans? I added my comments in Italic.

Investing in favourite places:

• South Beach: new toilets and changerooms as well as a beach wheelchair and matting to improve access for people with a disability. Was already in last year’s budget.
• Fremantle Arts Centre: replacement of roofing.
• Fremantle Leisure Centre: replacement of 25-metre pool roof. Was already in last year’s budget
• Booyeembara Park: construction of mountain bike trails. Was already in last year’s budget
• Leighton Beach: New playground and upgraded car parking.
• Fremantle Golf Course: clubhouse and community facility. Was already in last year’s budget
• Hilton Bowling Club: new synthetic green to replace old grass green.
• Dick Lawrence Reserve: renewal of changerooms, cricket nets, lighting and irrigation.
• Port Beach: sand nourishment and coastal monitoring. Ongoing work. Nothing new.

Sprucing up our suburbs:

• $1.65 million program to maintain and improve the city’s roads. Does this include the many neglected footpaths?
• Continued program of tree and shrub planting as part of Urban Forest Plan.
• Replacement drinking fountains, lighting, shade sails, bench seats, shelters and signage at parks including Monument Hill, Parmelia Park, Alfred Park, Dick Lawrence Reserve, Samson Reserve and more.
• Hilton Underground Power: the City is contributing $1.26 million as part of a seven-year, interest-free payback scheme for benefitting households. Was already in last year’s budget
• Nannine Commons – Former WGV Men’s Shed: reticulation to support plantings of community garden beds and continue the green corridor to Valley Park and the White Gum Valley orchard.
• Virginia Ryan Park: fencing, seats and drinking fountains to support proposed dog exercise area.

Bringing back the buzz to CBD:

• Tree planting in William Street.
• New lighting along William, Henderson and Queen Streets.
• New footpath linking Bathers Beach with Fremantle Port. FINALLY. This is great news!
• Fremantle Biennale festival sponsorship. Nothing new. Same as last year.
• Fremantle Festival: Ten Nights in Port. Nothing new. Same as last year.
• Fremantle International Street Arts festival. Nothing new. Same as last year.
• Walyalup Koort activations and school holiday programs. Nothing new. Same as last year.
• Christmas festival celebrations. Nothing new. Same as last year.

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