Harvey Shire scraps agreement with Water Corporation over Coastal Communities Fund after request for wind-up

The Harvey Shire Council has rejected a request to wind-up a $1 million Binningup and Myalup community fund, despite the original funder arguing its purpose is now obsolete. Instead council wants to continue to spend the funds on community projects throughout the shire. Water Corporation and the Southern Seawater Alliance asked the council earlier this year to axe the Coastal Communities Fund and for the $1m balance to be spent on a major “legacy project”. The fund was created in 2009 in an agreement between the Water Corporation and the Shire to support communities impacted by the construction of the Southern Seawater Desalination Plant, which now produces about 30 per cent of Perth’s water supply. As part of the agreement, the Shire is not allowed to use the funds for general operations or maintenance. In response to the request for the legacy project, the council committed just 40 per cent of the funds on such a project, and voted to scrap the agreement between the parties and use the remaining $600,000 on grants within the two towns. Speaking at last month’s meeting, Shire president Michelle Campbell said she believed the intent of the original funding was to provide capital for community-based projects in both locations. “I see this option as addressing the wishes of the funds being allocated towards a significant infrastructure project, but also retaining the successful community-based grant funding initiatives for Binningup and Myalup moving forward,” she said. Cr Campbell said the option would also reduce the pressure on the council’s general grant funding program. Both Water Corporation and the Southern Seawater Alliance made the requests to axe the fund earlier this year, stating its original purpose to “support the community during the construction phase of the desalination plant” had been completed. $1.12m in payments has been made to 38 projects across Binningup and Myalup during the 14 years it has been operating. The Binningup Surf Lifesaving Club, Myalup Community Association, Binningup Community Garden and Binningup Beach Christian Youth Camp have been allocated a combined $300,000 from the fund this financial year.