Capel ticks new budget: $8.9m earmarked for capital work

Transport and roads and recreation and culture are two main focuses of the Capel Shire Council’s 2020-21 budget, with $8.9 million allocated for capital works. The council held a special council meeting on Monday and voted unanimously to adopt the next financial year’s budget. A rates freeze was a key feature of the budget, something shire president Michael Southwell said was a priority before COVID-19 hit. Cr Southwell said the budget was affected by the pandemic — the aftershocks of which he expected would be felt for years to come. He said the council’s economic focus was on removing as much as of the financial burden on individuals and businesses as possible. A total of $3.9 million has been set aside for the upgrade and renewal of roads, paths and drainage, as well as $434,000 for the continuation of the dual-use path program. The budget has $50,000 earmarked for the Ironstone Gully Falls trail master plan, something Cr Doug Kitchen said would “build on the lifestyle that is our motto”. The big capital works program went along with the times, he said. About $1.6 million has been allocated towards the Dalyellup skatepark, a project that has been sought for “quite a long time”. The council will also deliver on the shade sails program, making shire playgrounds safer from the sun. Planning for the Fettlers Park project in Boyanup will also progress with the council to seek assistance through grant funding.