Airport upgrades, rural road maintenance and planning for improving the city’s vital, but ageing assets such as the tip and Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre are among the items to be funded by an average 5.5 per cent rate rise. “With significant investment in transport infrastructure, community facilities, waste planning and major grant-funded projects, we’re continuing to build a strong, connected and liveable Albany.” A $15.6m allocation is set aside for the rural road network, specifically upgrading the city’s 800km network of unsealed roads. This is set to be largely funded by the people that use them, via a 9.95 per cent rise in rates for unimproved value properties. “The rural community said (the rate rise) is OK as long as you improve our roads, so we’re holding up our end of the bargain with 9.95,” he said.