The City of Mandurah is planning a rates increase of 4.95 per cent that it says is essential to avoid a multi-million dollar shortfall.
Rates Increase Proposal
At a special meeting on May 19, the council endorsed advertising the proposed rates increase for comment and a long-term financial plan. According to council documents, the 4.95 per cent increase will result in a $46.81 million increase in revenue. For the average residential property, the proposed increase would amount to about $87.23 per year, or $1.68 per week. The council was told without the increase there would be a shortfall of $12 million.
New Positions and Costs
As a result of the recently endorsed coastal hazard risk management and adaptation plan, the city needs to employ a senior coastal engineer. This is one of six newly identified job positions, including a transport engineer, a community facility planner and a building compliance and statutory planning manager, which will cost the city $5.8 million over 10 years.
Council Debate
At the special council meeting, Cr Ryan Burns spoke against increasing rates and the long-term financial plan, arguing that the city should reduce or reprioritise spending. “When ratepayers have been asked to absorb a 4.95 per cent increase, council should be satisfied that the strongest possible savings effort has already occurred,” he said. “Households are already dealing with sustained cost-of-living pressure. Mortgage repayments, rents, insurance, groceries, power bills and general living costs have all increased sharply. Many wages have not kept pace in real terms. Year after year, 4 per cent and 5 per cent increases compound. They may be manageable for some, but for people already at the margins, every increase matters.” Cr Burns was the sole vote against the proposed rates being advertised for comment and the long-term financial plan.
Mayor's Statement
In a statement after the meeting, mayor Amber Kearns said the proposed budget was shaped with a strong focus on fairness, transparency and long-term sustainability. “We know many people are under pressure right now, and that has been front of mind throughout this process,” Ms Kearns said. “A service that may seem non-essential to one household can be incredibly important to another family’s wellbeing, connection or quality of life. That is why these decisions must consider the needs of the broader community, especially those doing it toughest.” Ms Kearns said the city was experiencing increased costs across areas such as electricity, insurance, materials, contracts and wages. “As a mum of three teenagers, I think often about the kind of Mandurah the next generation will inherit,” she said. “We cannot continue pushing today’s costs and responsibilities into future generations. Over many years, our community has invested in building a fantastic network of facilities and public spaces across Mandurah. Our responsibility now is to look after those assets, making sure they continue to serve our community well into the future.”
Specified Area Rate Vote
There was also a vote on introducing a specified area rate for the Port Mandurah Canals. Chief executive Casey Mihilolovovich said during a review in 2025, the city found they were the only canals in Mandurah where ratepayers were paying for works that are not ordinarily funded by them. Cr Owen Mulder spoke against the introduction of a SAR, arguing the existing owners were not advised of a specified area rate when they bought their properties. “I would also note that the intended levy, if we distributed that across all ratepayers, amounts to less than 20 cents per ratepayer for the year,” Cr Mulder said. “We can clearly manage that, and therefore not unfairly change the rules after the fact.” Cr Burns, Cr Mulder and Cr Jacob Cumberworth voted against introducing a SAR for the Port Mandurah Canals.
Public Consultation
Residents have until June 18 to have their say on the proposed rates increase and long-term financial plan via mandurahmatters.com.au/long-term-financial-plan-and-rates-2026-27.
