City Details Depth of Service that Rates Provide

Your guide to what you pay and the A-Z of what you get 2009-2010 offers a breakdown of the organisation’s externally-focused services, including everything from after-hours customer service and environmental education programs, through to food safety initiatives and The Vault youth space. The brochure also includes details on a number of community-based organisations, which help the City to provide some vital community services.

The guide is prefaced by a detailed budget summary, including what the rate rise means for residents. In 2009/2010 the rate in the dollar, which is used to calculate residents’ rates, has increased by 4.8 per cent. However, residents’ overall increase on their rate notice compared to last financial year will vary depending on individual circumstances.

Chief Executive Officer Dr Shayne Silcox said the A-Z brochure was an initiative to demonstrate the value in rates and the depth of service the City of Melville provided. “We provide a total of more than 200 products and services that all contribute towards making the City a safer and more desirable place to live. These products and services are provided to residents as a result of their annual rates bill – for not much more than the cost of their annual water bill,” he said.

Mayor Russell Aubrey said, during the past year, the City of Melville had critically reviewed its operations with a view to reducing expenditure. “As a local government we need to ensure fair equity, for all generations, in funding our services to the community. We have also taken action to lower rates by reducing our own costs so our residents are not burdened unfairly in our current and future annual and long-term budgets,” he said.

“It is crucial to note how ratepayers’ funds go back into the community, including in the areas of rangers and security, public health, and road works, which all contribute to their safety and well-being. A reasonable portion of rates also goes towards the areas of: waste; parks, streetscapes and environment; infrastructure; recreation; and corporate governance. Smaller portions contribute to: community development; libraries; planning and building; and customer administration,” he said.

Detailed budget documentation is available at the City of Melville’s Civic Centre and libraries, or online. To see a full list of the organisation’s products and services, visit www.melvillecity.com.au/a-z. The brochure will also be available from stands at the City’s Civic Centre, libraries, recreation centres and community centres from 20 July.