CITY of Wanneroo ratepayers face an overall 3.5 per cent increase in rates in 2025-26, which is just above the estimated consumer price index forecast of 2.74 per cent, following the council’s budget meeting.
Residential, rural and mining rates categories will increase by an average of 3 per cent whereas commercial-industrial rates categories will increase by 5.5 per cent.
Mayor Linda Aitken said the $353.4 million budget included the city’s largest ever capital works program, $132.6m investment in local infrastructure, facilities and services.
Mrs Aitken said half of the 2025-26 budget would be funded from sources beyond rates collected.
“It’s an ambitious yet achievable plan, building on the successful delivery of last year’s capital program, which, for the first time, was fully completed,’’ she said.
The claim last year’s capital works program was fully completed is at odds with the city’s statement of financial activity on page 19 of the supplementary council agenda for July 22, which said there were projects from 2024-25 that were not started or completed due to constraints in the supply chain, skilled labour shortages and escalated market prices.
Carry Forwards – Funding Sources (From the July 22 supplementary council agenda)
Page 17 of the supplementary council agenda said it was estimated that the carry-forward projects from 2024-25 would be $4.9m.
“This will bring the total capital works program for 2025-26 to $137.6m,’’ the report said.
“The 2024-25 carry forward balance of $4.9m (is) considered to be the lowest ever reported historically, showing a strong CWP delivery position at the end of 2024-25 financial year.”
Before the 2025-26 to 28-29 corporate business plan, the 2025-26 annual budget and the 2025-26 schedule of fees and charges were adopted at the July meeting two councillors put forward amendments including Central East ward councillor Paul Miles whose amendment to keep the city’s waste service fee at $425 was unsuccessful so the fee will rise to $440.
The corporate business plan, the annual budget and schedule of fees and charges report included in the supplementary council agenda for the July meeting said there were higher than originally expected contributions (dividends from land sales) from the Catalina Regional Council, which together with the rate increase and other revenue sources (fees and charges, interest revenue and other revenue) positively contributed to balancing the 2025-26 budget.
The 2025-26 budget allows for operating income to increase by $6.4m to $268m which the city said would primarily come from increased rates, fees and charges and interest revenue offset by decrease in grants due to a 50 per cent advance payment of 2025-26 financial assistance grants in June this year.
Rates income was estimated at $174.7m for 2025-26 representing an increase of $9.2m from the previous financial year estimate.
The report said the rates and waste service fee represented $214m or 80 per cent of the total operating income for 2025-26.
“The city’s occupied private dwellings are expected to increase by 2827 in 2025-26 (with) the city’s population in 2025 (expected to be) 243,012 people.
“It is expected to increase by over 194,003 people to 437,016 by 2046, at an average annual growth rate of 3 per cent.’’
“Residential development forecasts assume the number of dwellings in the City of Wanneroo will increase by an average of 3574 dwellings per annum to 167,388 in 2046, according to Forecast.id’’
The report said building approvals for 2024-25 were currently reported as 5809, significantly exceeding initial and updated forecasts.
“The property growth is expected to continue being high in 2025-26 with accelerated building approvals.
“However, RBA cash rates pressure, labour shortages, record high material costs and supply chain disruption may affect the completion of constructions.’’
Reserve Replenishments in 2025-26
The report said the 2025-26 rate increase was modest in keeping with community expectations and ensuring that all services and provision of amenities were maintained.
But the city said it would continue to assist ratepayers facing financial hardship in accordance with the city’s financial hardship policy.
As per the Local Government Act 1995 section 6.36, the city was required to give local public notice of intention of imposing its proposed differential rate in the dollar and minimum rates.
At the closure of submissions on June 19, the city with 91,853 rateable properties said it had received 18 submissions.
The submissions included 11 submissions expressing concerns about the rates increase and the cost of living, three submissions requesting the city’s expenses should be managed to avoid cost escalations and two submissions suggesting the city’s priorities were not aligned with the community expectations.
“The city’s reserves will be used again to support key capital works projects to meet the demand from a growing population, especially in the northern and eastern suburbs,’’ the report said.
“Even with general cost escalations including high state government tariffs the city will maintain the same service level delivery.”
The budget was eventually adopted 11-2 with deputy mayor and South ward councillor James Rowe and South West ward councillor Natalie Herridge voting against it.
More to come on Cr Rowe – during the July meeting to pass the budget – asking a series of questions including relating to the city’s long term financial plan (LTFP).
Wanneroo deputy mayor votes against budget after financial questions
