SOUTH FREO residents will have to foot a higher rates bill than usual this year after the council announced plans for underground power.
According to a statement released last week, Western Power is in “the early stages” of a scheme to replace South Freo’s “aging” above-ground powerlines in 2026.
The project will be co-funded by the council and Western Power, with Freo contributing $16.5 million.
The council says the wider Freo residents’ differential rates for the 2024-25 period will not be affected by the bill.
Instead, property owners in the area directly affected by the project will be coughing up a service charge of an estimated minimum $842.86 per property per year, according to the plan.
• Poles will disappear when South Freo’s power goes underground.
According to the council, the underground power installation will span seven years, meaning each property owner within the boundary will be charged at least $5900 for the project, with higher costs charged according to each property’s gross rental value.
Long time South Freo resident John Longley says community reaction to the charge “really depends” on each property owner’s financial position, given the high cost of the total charge.
“If you were a pensioner you’d find the charge pretty onerous,” Mr Longley said.
“It’s a lot of money for anyone quite frankly.
“Personally, I would pay it and be happy to do so, but I understand clearly that for people who are finding it tough it’d be a large impost.”
Impost
The project area stretches from Norfolk Street down to the edge of South Beach – the map is available on the City of Fremantle website.
The general Freo differential rates were discussed at the council meeting on Wednesday, which city business director Matthew Hammond acknowledged were 4.5 per cent higher than last year.
“We are still carrying some increased costs through contracts that were entered into back in prior years where inflation was much higher, and costs were much higher,” Mr Hammond said.
According to the council agenda, the 2024-25 residential and commercial minimum payment will be $1738.
Fremantle mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge says the rate rise is “genuinely necessary” to deliver council development and infrastructure projects.
“Anyone who suggests that we can fix up everything and spend money on new ideas, and not put up rates, is living in a fantasy world,” Ms Fitzhardinge said.
The council will advertise the rates from today, Saturday, May 11.
by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER