Ashburton reveals funding priorities on 2017-18 Budget

A community hub, a waste facility and airport upgrades are among the multimillion-dollar projects to be funded in the Shire of Ashburton’s 2017/18 budget.

The Paraburdoo Community Hub ($15.7 million), Onslow Class IV Regional Waste Facility ($13 million) and facility development at Onslow Airport ($5 million) will all go ahead after the council adopted its budget on August 30.

All this is to be achieved with a 1.75 per cent rates increase for commercial, industrial and residential properties, with no increase for mining and pastoral properties.

Shire president Kerry White said the council had made a big investment in projects and programs to boost vibrancy and ensure economic viability of communities.

“We will provide support to a variety of existing and emerging sports and cultural activities within our towns, to help build the capacity of our local clubs and groups who deliver opportunities for social and active community interaction,” she said.

“These include establishment of a new disc golf club in both Paraburdoo and Tom Price and a new BMX track in Pannawonica.

“Much-needed upgrades to tennis, basketball, netball and bowling facilities, as well as various playgrounds and ovals, have also been programmed to occur.”

Several projects in Onslow have been funded, including an upgrade for the Onslow Caravan Park ($180,000), the Ian Blair Memorial Boardwalk ($500,000), a bowling green replacement ($320,000), and theOnslow Oval playground ($300,000). Tom Price will get funding for its information bay ($480,000), waste management ($280,000), and Tjiluna Oval playground upgrades ($120,000).

Paraburdoo’s sports court will be resurfaced ($300,000) and its information bay will be upgraded ($400,000).

Pannawonica Caravan Park will be funded to the tune of $25,000.

Ms White said tourism was a key focus for the council.

“As part of a longer-term strategy, capital expenditure has been allocated in the coming year to upgrade a number of our tourist information bays and signage, enhance the Pannawonica Caravan Park and continue facility improvements at the Onslow Ocean Beach Caravan Park,” she said. A total of $10.4 million has been allocated to repairing flood-damaged pastoral roads, while $3.2 million will go towards Roebourne Wittenoom and Panna-wonica Millstream roads.