City adopts 2026/27 budget to support rapid growth

At a Special Council Meeting on 7 July, Council adopted an overall 6 per cent rate increase, amounting to less than $2 per week for most homeowners.

The $430.6 million budget balances investments in major projects with the everyday services residents rely on, including a $138.6 million capital works program.

Mayor Linda Aitken said the budget reflects the level of investment required to keep pace with rapid growth.

“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 1,970 kms 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.”

This financial year’s operational has increased by 6.9 per cent from 2025/26 as the City responds to increasing demand for services, rising construction and operating costs, ongoing asset renewal and continued population growth.

Mayor Aitken said despite these increasing costs, Council has worked to minimise the impact on ratepayers, while continuing to invest in the services and infrastructure needed by a growing community.

“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,” she 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.”

2026/27 capital works program highlights

Community recreation and facilities

A total of $49.5 million will be invested in community recreation and facilities, supporting active and connected communities, such as:

• $10 million towards the redevelopment of the Girrawheen Hub Precinct.
• $12.5 million to complete the Alkimos Aquatic and Recreation Centre.
• $6 million for upgrades to golf course facilities at Carramar and Marangaroo.
• $2 million to upgrade rugby clubrooms at Kingsway Regional Sporting Complex.

Community safety

The City will invest $1.5 million in community safety initiatives, such as:

• $500,000 for the design of upgrades to the Two Rocks Bush Fire Brigade facilities.
• $801,000 for expanded CCTV network infrastructure across Marangaroo, Madeley, Wanneroo and Butler.
• $210,000 for automatic closing gates and CCTV at City carparks.

Waste management

A total of $1.7 million has been allocated to waste management improvements, such as:

• $1 million towards a new community recycling centre and waste transfer station in Neerabup
• $600,000 for new and replacement bins across the City.

Parks and playgrounds

The City is investing $9.4 million to enhance parks and playgrounds, such as:

• $6.8 million to install new, upgrade and replace playgrounds, picnic areas, lighting and park equipment at various locations across the City such as Sheffield Park in Wanneroo.
• $2.6 million for park upgrades, including installing fitness equipment at Kingsbridge Park and Anthony Waring Park.
• $300,000 to complete designs for park upgrades at Broadview Park and Warradale Park in Landsdale to address the floding and drainage issues.

Local roads

A further $35.6 million will be invested in traffic treatments, roads, streetscaping, stormwater drainage, pathways and trails to improve safety and connectivity, such as:

• $7.5 million to upgrade Flynn Drive to a dual carriageway.
• $3.5 million for upgrades to Girrawheen Avenue, including its intersection with Marangaroo Drive.
• $3.5 million to renew 22 roads across the City as part of the Road resurfacing program. Examples include Countryside Dr in Two Rocks and Perry Rd in Pinjar.

Investment projects

A total of $17.5 million will go towards investment projects, such as:

• $3.5 million towards design and infrastructure upgrades to the Yanchep Lagoon Master Plan development.

Environmental and conservation

A further $7.3 million will go towards conservation reserves, environmental offset and Foreshore Management, such as:

• $2.7 million towards a new beach accessway at Two Rocks Beach (South).
• $2 million towards upgrading Frederick Stubbs Park’s carpark and surrounding areas.

Operational facilities and infrastructure

The City will invest $16 million into maintaining and upgrading corporate buildings, fleet management and IT equipment.

For more information on the City’s 2026/27 budget, visit www.wanneroo.wa.gov.au/budget