Budget 2026/27

Wanneroo Council adopted the 2026/27 budget at the Special Council Meeting on 7 July 2026.

The City’s annual budget is developed based on the funding available for the financial year ahead and the cost of delivering services to our growing community. Funding comes from a mix of sources, including:

• Rates State and federal government grants
• Fees and charges
• Reserves
• Interest revenue
• Loans and other income

Rates are just one part of how the City is funded. We actively work to diversify revenue through grants, partnerships and other funding streams to help reduce reliance on rates where possible. We always aim to keep rate increases to a minimum. However, like households, the cost of running a City continues to rise. Maintaining infrastructure, delivering services and planning for growth means modest rate increases are sometimes needed.

For 2026/27, Council has adopted a 6 per cent average rate increase - equating to less than $2 per week for the average household.

The City’s budget supports the services, facilities and infrastructure our community relies on every day such as maintaining roads and parks to delivering community programs and keeping our neighbourhoods clean, safe and well maintained.

Spending decisions are guided by strategic plans, including the Strategic Community Plan, which is developed in collaboration with residents, community groups and local businesses. This ensures investment is aligned with community priorities. The budget also provides funding to support local sporting clubs, community organisations, not-for-profit service providers and local businesses.

In developing the budget, we:

• Review the cost of delivering services, including external cost increases (such as State Government charges)
• Prioritise essential services and projects required to maintain a safe and functional City Allocate funding to maintain and upgrade infrastructure
• Identify efficiencies to help manage costs and reduce financial pressure where possible

The budget is made up of two main components:

• Operating expenditure: the day-to-day costs of running the City, such as waste collection, maintaining parks and roads, and delivering community services.
• Capital expenditure: Investment in long-term assets, such as building new facilities, upgrading roads or developing community infrastructure.

Both are essential for maintaining City services and planning for the future.

Your rates are calculated by multiplying your property’s valuation by a differential rate in the dollar, which Council sets each year. There is also a minimum rates amount that applies to ensure everyone contributes fairly. Property values are set independently by the Landgate Valuer General’s Office.

Most urban properties like homes and businesses receive a Gross Rental Value (GRV), while rural or farming properties are given an Unimproved Value (UV). The GRV reflects what your property could reasonably earn in rent over a year.

When determining GRV, Landgate takes into account factors such as location, size, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, construction materials and whether there is a garage or carport. This means if your property valuation is different to your neighbour's the amount of rates you pay will differ accordingly. For more information about how GRV is set, visit the Landgate website.

Every three years, Landgate revalues all properties in the City for rating and taxing purposes under the Valuation Land Act Every three years, all properties across Western Australia are independently revalued by Landgate for local government rating purposes under the Valuation of Land Act 1978.

This means that while the City has adopted an overall 6 per cent increase in rate revenue, individual rate notices vary depending on how a property's valuation has changed relative to other properties across the City.

Property valuations for the 2026/27 financial year are based on values as at 1 July 2024 and are determined using one of the following valuation methods:

• Gross Rental Value (GRV) for improved properties reflects the estimated annual rental income the property could generate if leased.
• GRV for vacant land is calculated as 3 per cent of the market value of the land.
• Unimproved Value (UV) reflects the market value of the land, excluding any buildings or improvements.

Rates are calculated by applying the relevant rate in the dollar to a property's valuation. Minimum rates may also apply, regardless of the property's valuation.