Council Meeting (Ordinary and Special) - 16 Jun 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Vincent petition opposes 40.9% vacant property rates rise
  Residents lodged an 80-signature petition urging council to withdraw or reduce the proposed increase in vacant residential property rates.
  Rates changes affect property owners directly and can spark broader debate about fairness and housing use.
• Council establishes new audit and risk committee
  The City formally created an Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee to strengthen oversight of risk, performance and compliance.
  This is a material governance change that can affect accountability, audit scrutiny and decision-making standards.
• Transport motion seeks Perth Parking Levy funds for Vincent upgrades
  A notice of motion calls for state parking levy money to fund pedestrian upgrades on East Parade, a Blue CAT extension and an east-west bus route.
  If advanced, the proposal could reshape local transport access and pedestrian safety in a busy inner-city area.

Decisions

• Petition on vacant residential property rates received
  Council received a petition with 80 signatures calling for the proposed 40.9% increase in vacant residential property rates for 2026/2027 to be withdrawn, rejected or substantially reduced.
  Directly affects ratepayers, especially owners of vacant residential properties.
• Community and Stakeholder Engagement Policy adopted
  Council adopted the amended Community and Stakeholder Engagement Policy.
  Sets how residents and community groups are consulted on City projects and decisions.
• Council Members Continuing Professional Development Policy adopted
  Council adopted the updated continuing professional development policy by absolute majority. An amendment proposing a capped high-level training contribution arrangement was lost.
  Affects how elected members are trained and supported, with implications for governance standards and council spending.
• Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee established
  Council formally established the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee and appointed members to it, including the Deputy of the Presiding Member, by absolute majority.
  Strengthens oversight of City finances, risk management and performance.
• Financial and investment reports received
  Council received the monthly investment report, financial statements, and accounts paid under delegated authority for April 2026, including total payments of $9,533,256.94.
  Provides transparency on City cash management and spending.

Discussion

• Vacant residential property rates and concessions
  The meeting included debate and a decision related to vacant residential property rates, including a provision for financial hardship assistance and concessions for some non-minimum rated vacant residential properties.
  Could affect costs for owners of vacant dwellings and the overall rates burden.
• Local traffic management and lower speed environments
  Member questions and responses focused on 30km/h versus 40km/h neighbourhood speed settings, road safety evidence, and ongoing advocacy with Main Roads WA and the Road Safety Commission.
  Relevant to road safety, traffic calming and street conditions in residential areas.
• Safe trading site report delayed
  Questions highlighted that a council-requested report on a safe trading site was delivered more than five months after the original deadline.
  Impacts future local trading arrangements, signage and potential enforcement or amenity outcomes.
• Street tree pruning and Western Power clearance works
  Questions addressed repeated pruning of street trees on Alfonso Street by Western Power and the City’s contractors, and whether costs are effectively being duplicated.
  May affect street tree health, maintenance schedules and ratepayer costs.
• Street tree planting statistics and native planting target
  A question was raised about progress towards the City’s target that 75% of new planting on City-owned or managed land be native species.
  Affects urban canopy, biodiversity and neighbourhood streetscapes.
• Formal planning amendment and significant trees policy work
  Council progressed Amendment No. 15 to Local Planning Scheme No. 2 and public consultation for a draft Local Planning Policy: Regulated & Significant Trees.
  Could influence tree protection rules and planning controls across affected properties.

Impacts

• Potential changes to vacant property rates and related concessions.
• Ongoing work on safer street speeds and traffic calming.
• New consultation policy may change how residents are engaged on projects.
• Governance oversight will be strengthened through the new audit committee.
• Planning and tree policies may affect development and tree protection rules.
• Public reporting on spending and investment was noted for April 2026.

Places

• City of Vincent (local government area)
  Primary council area covered by the meeting decisions and questions.
• East Parade (road)
  Mentioned in a motion seeking pedestrian and public transport improvements funded by Perth Parking Levy revenue.
• Leederville Town Centre (town centre)
  Named in the transport funding motion, including Blue CAT extension and bus connectivity.
• Claisebrook (locality)
  Referenced as part of a proposed east-west bus route connection.
• Vincent Street (road)
  Named in discussion about lower speed environments, transport advocacy and bus corridor planning.
• Alfonso Street (street)
  Referenced in questions about street tree pruning by Western Power and City contractors.
• Mount Hawthorn (suburb)
  Location of the petitioner opposing higher vacant residential property rates.
• Loftus Recreation Centre (facility)
  Mentioned in the information bulletin as part of operational and financial performance reporting.

Next

• Write to the Minister for Transport requesting Perth Parking Levy funds for pedestrian and public transport upgrades in Vincent
  Following the meeting, subject to the motion being progressed
• Progress formal establishment and operation of the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee
  Immediate post-meeting implementation
• Implement the adopted Community and Stakeholder Engagement Policy
  From adoption onwards
• Advance Amendment No. 15 to Local Planning Scheme No. 2 and associated public advertising steps, subject to planning approvals
  Following Minister/WAPC processes
• Continue discussions with Western Power on tree pruning notifications and payment for works
  Ongoing
• Provide further detail on local speed environment advocacy, safe trading site implementation and related transport questions
  As follow-up through briefing/reporting cycles

Extract

Hy MINUTES Ordinary Council Meeting 16 June 2026 ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 16 JUNE 2026 Table of Contents 1 Declaration of Opening / Acknowledgement of Country .................................................................... 4 2 Apologies / Members on Leave of Absence ........................................................................................ 4 3 (A) Public Question Time and Receiving of Public Statements ........................................................ 4 (B) Response to Previous Public Questions Taken On Notice ............................................................. 13 4 Applications for Leave of Absence ...................................................