Ravensthorpe Civic Centre. Image: Shire of Ravensthorpe.
Ravensthorpe Shire’s new budget features a 4.95 per cent rate increase, which is slightly higher than last year’s 4.50 per cent.
Council voted to adopt the budget on Wednesday night.
A Shire spokesperson said the 2025/26 Budget was transitionary as they continued to adapt after Ravensthorpe Nickel Operations (RNO) and Rio Tinto Lithium (previously Arcadium Lithium) closed their mines with more than 500 jobs lost.
“Over the past twelve months the Shire has noticed significant downgrades of revenue from commercial waste fees and childcare services,” she wrote.
“The biggest hit was the airport where revenue fell from $2.16m in 2023/2024 to a budget of just $5000 for 2025/2026.
“To counter these financial challenges, all services, projects and spending have been reviewed and revised where possible.”
Savings made
Staff resources at the airport have been reduced by $275,000 and the capital works program reduced by 18.5 per cent to $4,412,000.
As previously announced in December 2024, the two childcare centres have been transferred to Regional Early Education and Development Inc (REED), saving the Shire $1,076,000 in employment costs.
Shire President Tom Major said trimming the budget was always challenging.
“Any financial decision to reduce services was not taken lightly by Council, we carefully considered all options,” he said.
“We ask the community to please be patient as we’re all experiencing this mining downturn together, but we’re trying really hard to plan ahead for the community as well.”
The Budget includes funding for various consultancy works aimed at exploring potential projects and improving key tourism assets.
Consultancy plans
The consultancy plans for 2025/2026 include assessing the current state and potential improvements for boat ramps at Hopetoun, Starvation Bay and Mason Bay.
The management plan for Culham Inlet is to be evaluated and updated.
Feasiblity studies
A feasibility study is to be done for a dedicated park complex for wheeled sports in Ravensthorpe, an upgrade to the Hopetoun facility and a potential Ravensthorpe Botanical Garden.
A trails plan will be made after investigating how existing trails can be enhanced for tourism potential and new trails potentially created.
The Capital Works Program includes resealing Southern Ocean Road; upgrading concrete footpaths in Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun; improving Mason Bay and Jerdacuttup Roads; and resheeting West River Road.
