Tag Archives: Ellenbrook realestate
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Boys’ skate park idea takes off
The following article appeared in the Ellenbrook Advocate on Wed 19th August 2015;
Three years ago, a group of Aveley boys had a vision to establish a skate park in Aveley. One petition later, their skate park dream has become reality. BOREDOM is what originally inspired four young Aveley boys to walk the neighbourhood and petition for a local skate park.
Jaxon Reynolds, Tyson Byrne-King, Dakota Cheung and Connor McEwen at the new skate park.
Three years on from the conception of their idea to fight boredom, the Aveley skate park has become a reality and an instant hit.
The boys identified the need for the park on a hot summer day and walked the neighbourhood to get support for it.
City of Swan councillor Natasha Cheung facilitated getting their idea and petition to council.
From there, the City got the ball rolling and the boys were called back to help with the design of the skate park, which is also frequently used by scooters. The skate park opened three weeks ago and is already so popular there are jokes about starting another petition to extend it.
Minimum increase in rates but major works still to continue in Ellenbrook
Minimum increase in rates but still major works to continue in Ellenbrook. Although the City of Swan is keeping rate increase low this year to minimize any financial impact in these challenging economic times,they are borrowing to continue with major works such as the Ellenbrook Community Building, the southern playing fields for Ellenbrook Open Space and upgrades to Gnangara Rd.
The following is an article from Ellenbrook Advocate Wednesday July 8th 2015;
THE City of Swan’s budget for 2015-16 was released last week and includes funding for major projects in Ellenbrook, Midland and the Swan Valley.
RATES in the City of Swan will climb 3.25 per cent this financial year, following a trend of low rate rises across most metropolitan local governments this year
Swan’s last budget saw a 5 per cent rate increase and a publicly unpopular special levy applied to northern properties for a bridge over the Ellen Brook, which was later repealed.
In this year’s budget, the City has aimed to minimise financial impact on ratepayers, citing the current challenging economic climate in WA.
Swan’s 3.25 per cent rate rise absorbs an 8 per cent spike in the cost of utilities.
A State Government imposed landfill levy increase of 100 per cent will also be passed on to local ratepayers through the City’s sanitation charges.
Chief executive Mike Foley said he had to balance increasing demand for amenities and services with the aim of minimising financial burden to ratepayers.
“Everyone’s feeling the pinch a bit – unemployment is up in the area a bit we’ve noticed,” he said.
“Inflation is down around 22.5 per cent so we want to make sure we’re keeping our services relative but at the same time meeting the needs of the future.”
This financial year will also see the City increase its borrowing by raising new loans to almost $15 million, costing nearly $1m a year in debt servicing.
The debt will pay for big-ticket items like Paradise Quays aged care in Ballajura, land for Dayton’s neighbourhood park, a district park for Dayton, the Ellenbrook community building and the southern playing fields for Ellenbrook District Open Space.
Expenditure this year will reach $145.9 million, of which $71.2 million will be spent on staff and $42 million will be spent on capital works.
Taking into account all budgeting factors, the City’s overall surplus is at $439,000.
“The challenge has always been to provide the infrastructure that people want and particularly to fund the new requirements of new residents coming into the area,” Mr Foley said.
“We’ve taken out a loan program of some $14.5 million to help fund those big projects.”
Mr Foley said work on upgrading Gnangara Road would continue this year, and upgrades to Lloyd Street and Bishop Road in Midland would start.
The City will also see assets from developers of new estates roll over to its portfolio.
“We’re picking up some $42 million of assets from developers this financial year and that’s in the form of roads, drainage and new parks,” Mr Foley said.
“These are assets they have to give to us on top of developer contribution plans.”
Swan CEO Mike Foley
Minimum increase in rates but still major works to continue in Ellenbrook
Minimum increase in rates but still major works to continue in Ellenbrook. Although the City of Swan is keeping rate increase low this year to minimize any financial impact in these challenging economic times,they are borrowing to continue with major works such as the Ellenbrook Community Building, the southern playing fields for Ellenbrook Open Space and upgrades to Gnangara Rd.
The following is an article from Ellenbrook Advocate Wednesday July 8th 2015;
THE City of Swan’s budget for 2015-16 was released last week and includes funding for major projects in Ellenbrook, Midland and the Swan Valley.
RATES in the City of Swan will climb 3.25 per cent this financial year, following a trend of low rate rises across most metropolitan local governments this year
Swan’s last budget saw a 5 per cent rate increase and a publicly unpopular special levy applied to northern properties for a bridge over the Ellen Brook, which was later repealed.
In this year’s budget, the City has aimed to minimise financial impact on ratepayers, citing the current challenging economic climate in WA.
Swan’s 3.25 per cent rate rise absorbs an 8 per cent spike in the cost of utilities.
A State Government imposed landfill levy increase of 100 per cent will also be passed on to local ratepayers through the City’s sanitation charges.
Chief executive Mike Foley said he had to balance increasing demand for amenities and services with the aim of minimising financial burden to ratepayers.
“Everyone’s feeling the pinch a bit – unemployment is up in the area a bit we’ve noticed,” he said.
“Inflation is down around 22.5 per cent so we want to make sure we’re keeping our services relative but at the same time meeting the needs of the future.”
This financial year will also see the City increase its borrowing by raising new loans to almost $15 million, costing nearly $1m a year in debt servicing.
The debt will pay for big-ticket items like Paradise Quays aged care in Ballajura, land for Dayton’s neighbourhood park, a district park for Dayton, the Ellenbrook community building and the southern playing fields for Ellenbrook District Open Space.
Expenditure this year will reach $145.9 million, of which $71.2 million will be spent on staff and $42 million will be spent on capital works.
Taking into account all budgeting factors, the City’s overall surplus is at $439,000.
“The challenge has always been to provide the infrastructure that people want and particularly to fund the new requirements of new residents coming into the area,” Mr Foley said.
“We’ve taken out a loan program of some $14.5 million to help fund those big projects.”
Mr Foley said work on upgrading Gnangara Road would continue this year, and upgrades to Lloyd Street and Bishop Road in Midland would start.
The City will also see assets from developers of new estates roll over to its portfolio.
“We’re picking up some $42 million of assets from developers this financial year and that’s in the form of roads, drainage and new parks,” Mr Foley said.
“These are assets they have to give to us on top of developer contribution plans.”
Swan CEO Mike Foley
FREE Sorcit Employment Workshops at Ellenbrook Community Library
Do you want new skills? Interested in learning something to kick start your career? Maybe change your job? Swan Libraries and Sorcit are currently running employment workshops with topics including Resume Writing, Building Confidence for Women and Computer Skills. These workshops are two hours long and FREE to attend. Registration is required.
Please see the attached flyers for further information about dates, locations and how to register, or visit www.swan.wa.gov.au/library
Ellenbrook Secondary College student recognized by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority 2014
Year 12 student Alexander Rafferty has been awarded a general exhibition and a certificate of distinction for mathematics in the School Curriculum and Standards Authority’s 2014 exhibition and award winners.
Alexander has also been offered a scholarship by the University of Western Australia where he will study engineering.
He achieved scaled marks of 79.6 in English, 92.6 in chemistry, 94.9 in physics, 96.2 in maths and 100 in mathematics 3CD.
He had already received a scaled mark of 81.2 for a French exam, which he had sat previously.
His ATAR was 99.9.
Congratulations Alexander and all the best for your very bright future ahead!
Source; Echo Ellenbrook News, Sat Jan 17. 2015
Annual verge-side bulk rubbish collection is upon us.
Its that time of year again in Ellenbrook and surrounds where we get the opportunity to get rid of unwanted goods and avoid time consuming and at times costly trips to the tip.
For bu;k rubbish collection times in your area click on the City of Swan Website Link
http://www.swan.wa.gov.au/Residents/Waste_and_Recycling_Services/Binverge_collection_dates
Affordable suburbs on the rise.
In the Market Watch section of The Sunday Times real estate lift out Terry Ryder, founder of hotspotting.com.au stated that although momentum in WA has cooled, affordable suburbs were the best investment option and that these suburbs are resisting the pattern of market activity tapering off.
Mr Ryder includes the Swan local government area in his list of the strongest markets in Perth. He explains that The City Of Swan is hot due to Urban renewal, government policy and job nodes.
With regards to affordability Ellenbrook still has a median price range of $439,00 which puts in among the most affordable suburbs in Perth.
Source; Sunday Times Jan 11, 2015
City of Swan Recyclable Goods Drop Off day
Just in time before Christmas – get rid of all your junk to make way for the new stuff! The City of Swan is providing a recycling service so that all the unwanted things can be recycled and put to a future good use. And we get to de-clutter!
See below for details of what you are allowed to take to drop off and where to take your items.
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