Budget Approved with 6% Rate Increase
The City of Wanneroo has officially approved its 2026-27 annual budget, which includes an average 6 per cent rate rise for residential properties. The $430.6 million spending plan was passed during a special council meeting on Tuesday night. The 6 per cent rate rise is one of the city’s largest in recent years; however, city officers said it could have been closer to 9 per cent if not for $6 million in savings identified during the budget process.
The increase equates to about $2 per week for most households and will raise $14.4 million more in rates revenue for the city than the estimated amount collected last financial year. Wanneroo mayor Linda Aitken said she was proud to move the budget, saying it balanced the needs of today while planning for the future of the city’s growing community, but acknowledged the cost-of-living pressures residents are facing.
Mayor Defends Budget Amid Cost-of-Living Concerns
“We understand many households are under pressure, which is why we’ve worked hard to keep the average increase to less than $2 per week for most residents,” Ms Aitken said. “There are no easy choices when setting a budget of this scale. Our focus has been on balancing affordability with the need to responsibly plan in essential infrastructure and long-term planning for our city. Investing now means we can continue to provide the services and infrastructure our community expects while helping avoid larger costs in the future.”
However, not all councillors supported the budget and rate rise at Tuesday night’s meeting, which was adopted by an 8-5 vote. During the meeting, five councillors sought to defer the decision and send the budget back to a concept forum for further review, but the motion was lost.
Rate Increases and Budget Details
The increase means the minimum rate for residential improved properties will rise by $68 to $1206, while the minimum rate for commercial and industrial improved properties will increase by $139 to $1727 compared with last year. The budget is $77 million more than last year’s and the city now has a $2 million operating deficit, down from the $9.2 million deficit forecast for the 2025-26 financial year.
Ms Aitken said given the city’s rapid growth, the budget reflected the level of investment required to keep up with the community’s needs. “With around 200 people moving to our city every week, demand for roads, facilities and services continues to increase, and this budget ensures we can keep up alongside delivering new projects,” she said. “Our budget ensures we can provide the services residents rely on every day, including maintaining over 1970km of roads, over 950 parks and playgrounds, collecting over 94,000 tonnes of household waste and recycling each year, operating community facilities and libraries, and delivering community safety initiatives.”
Capital Works Program and Major Projects
The city said this financial year’s operational expenditure has risen by 6.9 per cent, driven by higher construction and operating costs, ongoing asset renewal, and the demands of continued population growth. Wanneroo’s 2026-27 capital works program sits at $138.6 million. This includes $49.5 million to be invested in community recreation and facilities. Major projects in the program include $12.5 million to complete the Alkimos aquatic and recreation centre and $10 million for the redevelopment of the Girrawheen hub precinct. The program also includes $6 million for upgrades to golf course facilities in Carramar and Marangaroo, and $2 million to upgrade rugby clubrooms at Kingsway Regional Sporting Complex.
A further $9.4 million is set to be spent on enhancing parks and playgrounds across the city, including upgrades and replacements of playgrounds, picnic areas, lighting and park equipment at locations such as Sheffield Park in Wanneroo. $35.6 million will be spent on upgrading local roads and pathways, while $17.5 million will go towards investment projects such as the Yanchep Lagoon master plan development.
City Officials Address Community Concerns
In response to questions from community members concerned about the 6 per cent rate rise and questioning the city’s priorities, Wanneroo’s director of corporate strategy and performance, Emma Woolaston, said the city would continue to look for further efficiencies. “Administration targeted various cost savings, totalling over $6 million, noting that due to various cost pressures … we still have an operating deficit proposed of $2 million, and the review certainly encompassed all areas of operating expenditure,” she said. “The capital works program was also extensively reviewed through the budget workshops, just to ensure an appropriate balance between asset renewal obligations and strategic investment to support the city’s growing population. The city does remain focused on continuing to identify opportunities to improve efficiency and deliver value for ratepayers ... further work may be undertaken to review services and prioritise activities to ensure the city’s resources are directed to areas of greatest community benefit while maintaining long-term financial sustainability.”
