Project report identifies options to recoup cost of tourism on Shire of Augusta-Margaret River ratepayers

A consultant-led review of Shire of Augusta-Margaret River rating categories could open the door to recouping more funds from the region’s booming short-stay sector.

Councillors at Tuesday’s night meeting said it was crucial the shire continued lobbying for more State and Federal Government support and investigate all options to help residents facing the reality of life in a tourism hotspot.

The commentary came as elected members accepted the preliminary findings from an officer-led project tasked with looking at options to boost revenue without punishing ratepayers.

Key among the findings was the need to help shoulder the burden for residents living in one of the State’s top tourism destinations which was also central to the WA Government’s promotion.

Deputy shire president Tracey Muir said she hoped the $50,000 consultant’s review of rating categories was one way to boost shire coffers.

“How can we ensure our local community do not wear the cost of tourism?” she said.

Cr Muir said community “burn-out” had to be acknowledged and compensated for by the State Government and “that the place that is sold to the world is able to stand”.

Shire president Julia Meldrum said all prospects raised by the revenue diversification project should be explored.

“It’s absolutely critical now that we look at regional development,” she said.

“The (shire) has really matured and it’s hard enough to manage the assets we’ve got.”

Ms Meldrum pointed to other recommendations from the team, reported by the Times last month, which included reviewing the shire’s asset portfolio, grant applications and further cost efficiencies.

“The advocacy campaign must continue to get as much as we can to force the other levels of Government that seem to be falling away from us,” she said.

Ms Meldrum and sustainable economy and communities director Nick Byrne attended the national assembly of local governments in Canberra this week as part of those lobbying efforts, which has also seen shire leaders draw in State MPs including Premier Roger Cook for talks on the region’s crucial needs.

The revenue project said lobbying was a key mechanism to improve the shire’s lot, with a Federal inquiry into local government sector funding also in train.

Newly elected councillor Melissa D’Ath said the project came at an important time.

Cr D’Ath pointed to the need to harness more external grants to deliver infrastructure projects to benefit the community.

“We have a big ratepayer base but we aren’t tapping into the capital works grants like we used to,” she said.

The project report surprisingly revealed the shire had no system in place to co-ordinate grant applications.

It also suggested developing a holiday parks and campground strategy alongside reviewing cost efficiencies.

The review of ratings required outside expertise because any changes would need Government sign-off.

But the City of Busselton has already signalled its intent to seek more compensation from the Capes’ bustling Airbnb-style sector, with plans for a 15 per cent ratings increase for 2024-25 declared last month.