The City of Cockburn’s 2024-25 Budget has been adopted by Council, with Cockburn households continuing to pay some of Perth’s lowest rates, which remain below the average five yearly Perth Consumer Price Index of 4.7 per cent.
The 2024-25 Budget was adopted at a Special Council Meeting on Tuesday 25 June.
Mayor Logan Howlett said the Council was committed to ensuring Cockburn continued to be the best place to live, work and play, while maintaining its strong financial position, and continuing to keep rates low.
“Satisfaction among our residents is high for these reasons and we’ll continue to work hard to keep our communities looking and feeling great,” Mayor Howlett.
“We do this by balancing the need for high-quality community-focused services and assets along with new infrastructure and services to support our growing population.”
Mayor Howlett said achieving the community’s aspirations required meticulous planning and careful prioritisation as the City balanced significant ongoing cost increases in a climate of high inflation.
“This includes our responsible management of an operational budget shortfall of $4.2m. Far from an indication of overspending, it reflects Council exercising restraint in applying rates increases, while still sustaining our current services during the current difficult economic climate.
“This careful management also enables us to continue to invest in ongoing projects like the redevelopment of the Malabar Park BMX facility and the Cockburn ARC expansion, plus new projects including a $2.49m upgrade to the busy intersection of Rockingham and Phoenix roads.
“We also continue to plan for our inevitable population growth and the resultant pressure on services including waste management and the effective governance of those increasing costs.
“The City aims to restore the operating budget to a surplus within three years through ongoing prudent financial management and a strategic approach to resource allocation, service delivery and project management.
“We care about our community and recognising the financial pressures it is already facing, Council will not use higher rates increase as a quick-fix to restore the surplus.”
Mayor Howlett said the Council was proud that the average rate increase for the last five years in Cockburn had only been 2.7 per cent, considerably lower than the Perth CPI of 4.7 per cent.
“To continue prioritising community needs, our financial stability and efficient resource management, Council has once again adopted a sensible capital works program focused on asset renewals as part of its strategic approach.”
The following differential property rates will apply for 2024-25
- Residential Improved properties – 4 per cent increase in the rate-in-the-dollar and minimum payment
- Vacant – 4.5 per cent increase in the rate-in-the-dollar and minimum payment
- Unimproved Value rated properties – 4.5 per cent increase in the rate-in-the-dollar and minimum payment
- Commercial & Industrial properties (including caravan parks) – 5.5 per cent increase in the rate-in-the-dollar and minimum payment.
The 2024-25 Budget includes a capital maintenance and works budget of $53.7m.
2024-25 Budget highlights:
- Cockburn ARC expansion including Fremantle Dockers and community facilities, ongoing – $7.14m
- BMX facility upgrade to a regional level at Malabar Park, Bibra Lake, ongoing – $3.22m
- Rockingham Road/Phoenix Road intersection upgrade including roundabout and improved lighting installation – $2.49m
- Aboriginal Cultural and Visitors Centre design, ongoing – $2.25m
- Omeo Park North Coogee southern amenities including toilets, changing rooms – $1.5m
- Grants and donations -$1.45m
- Santich Park Spearwood parking and lighting - $1.27m
- Urban Forest tree planting program, 1,200 new street trees, ongoing – $0.63m
For more information visit the City’s
Budget and Rates for 2024-25 website page