FAQ

Differential rates mean there is a different rate for different groups ie: residential, commercial and industrial. The reason for them is so one group isn’t burdened by rate increases more significantly than others.

Your rates can increase if Council requires more funds to provide local services and or facilities. For example, if it builds new facilities, has to maintain them, adds services or implements new initiatives.

Rates can also increase if your property increases in potential rental value faster than others in your area. For example, if you make improvements to your home that increase its rental value then your share of rates will increase.

Councils' budgets and consequently funds required through rates are also affected by changes made by other sectors of government. For example, when the State Government increases its charges for power and water, or adds to the street lighting, that cost has to be met by councils.

The rates paid on residential property is calculated based on the potential rental value of the premises and the operating requirements of Council.

The rates you pay are a proportionate share of what is needed by Council to provide local services and facilities.

That is, if your home has greater potential rental return than your neighbours, you will pay a higher share of the total rates budgeted by Council.

Council has proposed to increase rates by 3%. The exact amount of your increase depends on the value of your property and will be known to you when you receive your rates notice. This represents an average increase for residential properties of $61 per year or 1.17 per week, this financial year.

In addition to continuing to deliver all our current services, Council is preparing to implement new place planning initiatives and increase vegetation and tree planting programs. Both of these initiatives are in response to community input during the recent Evolve community engagement process.

Other factors that have contributed to the increase, which have been imposed on Council by the State Government, include above CPI increases for street lighting (3.2%), electricity (5.5%) and water (6.0%), (an additional $65,000 - $80,000 above inflation), as well as new costs for mandatory auditing to be done through the State’s Office of the Auditor General (an additional $60,000 - $80,000 per annum).

Waste services will also likely increase due to an increase in the State Government’s waste levy, increased gate fees for landfill, and proposed increases in recycling processing fees in Western Australia (anticipated to be between $300,000 - $500,000 per annum).

Whilst the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a good general economic indicator, it is not always an accurate reflection of the true costs incurred by Councils. As Council reviewed its Strategic Community Plan, the community provided a clear indication on the levels of service and outcomes they expect and we need to resource this.

It is also important to note, Council has worked to operate with the same level of staffing in recent years. This year increases in the cost of staffing is related to the established Enterprise Agreement and these have also been above inflation.

Council operates 29 service areas that cover services run from facilities such as the library and leisure centres, as well as community development programs, such as events, public art programs and safety initiatives, and operational services with capital works, maintenance and improvements for roads, footpaths, parks and waste collection, plus building and development compliance, strategic and place planning services, environmental health, animal control, local business support, customer and administration services.

It is not reasonable to compare rates (and rate rises) with other councils as each council is unique in growth, services, and residential property vs commercial property ratios.

Last year the Town had the sixth lowest residential minimum rates (inclusive of waste charges) of Perth metropolitan local governments.

The Town also had the tenth lowest average residential rates (inclusive of waste charges) of Perth metropolitan local governments in 2017-2018.

It is unlikely. Council would need to reduce services, identify either additional revenue sources or significant efficiency gains of around $1.4 million (the equivalent of 3% of rate revenue).

Like all households and businesses, Council subject to increasing cost pressures. Many of these costs are somewhat ‘fixed’, for example, wage increases, power, water, street lighting and certain statutory expenses.

If we did not increase rates, it is likely that capital works, road maintenance and community services would need to be reduced, delayed or removed. Additional programs, such as place planning, economic development and environmental programs including tree planting initiatives would not be implemented.

The Town is still working hard to create the right balance of efficiencies in a tough economic environment and still deliver an adequate service to the community.

Increased cost shifting and legislation from State Government mean increased administration costs for Councils to facilitate the collection of fees for various services and rebates. When the State Government increases the cost of power, water and other utilities, these costs are passed on to you via rate increases.

All Councils also rely on and compete for additional funds from the State and Federal Government through assistance grants and funding bid opportunities. Without these we would not be able to implement large scale infrastructure projects or subsidise health and safety initiatives such as installing CCTV cameras.

Around 72% of Council’s budget is met through rate revenue.