Community Feedback invited on City’s Long Term Financial Plan and proposed rates

The City of Mandurah is inviting the community to have their say on its proposed 2026/2027 Financial Year rates and Long Term Financial Plan 2027-2036, which outlines how the City will continue to deliver services, maintain infrastructure and support community priorities over the next 10 years.

With many households feeling the impact of cost-of-living pressures, the City has worked carefully to develop a balanced and responsible budget that recognises these challenges while continuing to deliver the services, facilities and infrastructure the community relies on every day.

Council has endorsed a proposed 4.95 per cent rate increase for public consultation. This reflects the rising cost of delivering services, the City’s growing long-term infrastructure responsibilities and the need to maintain current service levels for a rapidly growing community.

Mandurah’s population is expected to exceed 130,000 by 2036, increasing demand for roads, parks, community facilities, environmental management and local services.

The City is also responsible for maintaining more than $1.58 billion worth of community assets.

As identified through the Long Term Financial Plan, the cost of delivering services and renewing community infrastructure is now greater than what the City has historically collected through rates. The proposed increase aims to gradually address that gap in a measured and financially responsible way.

The proposed increase includes a 0.68 per cent Asset Renewal Contribution, which helps ensure roads, buildings, parks and community infrastructure can continue to be renewed into the future.

The Long Term Financial Plan also includes an ongoing Efficiency Program focused on improving productivity, reviewing services and ensuring value for money for the community. This includes reviews of three services and programs every year to ensure they continue to be efficient, and the City embraces ongoing business improvements through the use of technology, such as AI, where appropriate.

Under the program, the City is required to identify $500,000 in one off cost savings each year, along with permanent annual savings of $250,000, resulting in $2.5 million in ongoing reductions to the City’s cost base over 10 years.

Mayor Amber Kearns said the proposed budget had been 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,” Mayor Kearns said.

“Every effort has been made to find the right balance between recognising those pressures and continuing to provide the infrastructure, services and community spaces people rely on every day.”

Mayor Kearns said not everyone in Mandurah experiences the city in the same way.

“A service that may seem non-essential to one household can be incredibly important to another family’s wellbeing, connection or quality of life,” she said.

“That is why these decisions must consider the needs of the broader community, especially those doing it toughest.”

Mayor Kerans said the City, like many organisations, 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.”

For the average residential property, the proposed increase equates to approximately $87.23 per year, or $1.68 per week, supporting the continued delivery of services, community programs, and ongoing maintenance of local infrastructure and delivery of community services.

The City is encouraging community members to review the proposed rates and Long Term Financial Plan and share their feedback via www.mandurahmatters.com.au/long-term-financial-plan-and-rates-2026-27 before 18 June 2026.