Ordinary Council - 25 Aug 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Wanneroo’s 6% rate rise stays in place despite resident petition
  Council considered a 79-signature petition opposing the increase but the 6% 2026/27 rise had already been adopted.
  The decision directly affects household and business rate bills and demonstrates the financial pressure behind the City’s budget.
• Alkimos foreshore plan moves to public advertising
  Wanneroo Council endorsed advertising a draft foreshore management plan while leaving the final location of facilities open to further design and engagement.
  The plan could shape future coastal facilities, environmental management and the location of a proposed surf life saving club.
• Jindalee residents’ petition against Maritime Drive apartments sent for report
  A 64-signature petition opposing proposed multiple dwellings at 500K Maritime Drive has been referred to the relevant Directorate.
  The petition signals local opposition to a significant residential development and begins a formal Council response process.

Decisions

• 6% rate increase petition considered
  Council considered Petition PT01-07/26, presented with 79 signatures opposing the proposed 6% rate increase for 2026/27. The 6% increase had already been adopted as part of the 2026/27 Budget at the Special Council Meeting on 7 July 2026.
  The adopted increase remains in place. Council said future increases can be capped at or below CPI, but this would need to be considered against the City’s financial position, service costs and asset-maintenance needs.
• Alkimos Coastal Village foreshore plan endorsed for advertising
  Council endorsed the draft Alkimos Coastal Village Foreshore Management Plan for public advertising, subject to clarifying that the final location of facilities in Public Open Space E will be determined through the Surf Life Saving Club concept-design and community-engagement processes.
  Residents will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed management of the Alkimos foreshore. Future facility locations remain subject to further design, engagement and approvals.
• Jindalee multiple-dwellings petition referred for investigation
  Council received Petition PT01-08/26, containing 64 signatures objecting to proposed multiple dwellings at 500K Maritime Drive, Jindalee, and forwarded it to the relevant Directorate for a report to Council.
  The petition will be considered through a future Council report; the meeting did not determine the development application.
• Leave of absence granted
  Council granted Cr Smith leave of absence from 9 September to 3 October 2026.
  This is an administrative decision with no direct service or financial impact on residents.

Discussion

• Financial performance and budget pressures
  The financial reports recorded favourable results in grants, fees and charges and materials-and-contracts expenditure, but unfavourable variances in employee costs, depreciation, utilities and asset-disposal losses. Materials and contracts were $5.5 million below revised budget, while utility charges were $0.6 million above budget.
  The figures provide context for the City’s rates decisions and ongoing efforts to manage costs while maintaining services and assets.
• Capital works delivery
  The City incurred $133.9 million in capital expenditure by 30 June 2026, representing 91.2% of the revised $146.8 million capital works budget. Top capital projects accounted for $75.1 million against a combined budget of $78.1 million.
  The figures indicate that most major infrastructure projects progressed substantially during the financial year.
• Council performance
  The Quarter 4 performance information reported that 87 of 94 Council Plan initiatives, or 92.6%, were on target, being monitored or completed at year end.
  Residents can use this result to track delivery of the City’s published priorities.
• Warradale Park floodlights and access
  A report was considered in response to a petition requesting activation of Warradale Community Park floodlights and access on Friday and Saturday evenings. The petition response was adopted en bloc, but the extracted material does not state the full operative resolution.
  The issue concerns evening access and use of Warradale Community Park. Residents should consult the adopted report for the precise outcome and any implementation timing.
• Cherokee Park privacy screening
  Administration is investigating a petition containing 25 signatures seeking replacement shrubbery along the boundary between Cherokee Park and properties on Cherokee Green, Clarkson. A report is intended for the September 2026 Ordinary Council meeting.
  Affected residents may receive a formal response and potential recommendation at the September meeting.
• Warradale Park safety and recreation improvements
  Administration is investigating a petition containing 57 signatures seeking lake and pathway lighting, an update on exercise equipment, traffic-speed reviews and funding for improvements. A report is intended for the October 2026 Ordinary Council meeting.
  The future report may address lighting, recreation facilities, speeding concerns and possible funding priorities around Warradale Park.
• Council meeting recordings access policy
  The meeting material sets out a policy for access to recorded Council proceedings. Public copies or listening access may attract costs, while Council Members may request recordings at no charge; recordings are to be published within 14 days and retained online for at least five years.
  Residents will have a defined process for accessing meeting recordings, including possible charges for copies.
• Local government reform timing
  In response to a Council Member question, General Counsel said the City understood that regulations connected with local government reform could be expected around mid-2027.
  The reforms may affect rates and revenue policies, meeting procedures, communications arrangements and online registers, but implementation timing remains uncertain.

Impacts

• The 6% 2026/27 rate increase remains adopted; the meeting did not rescind it.
• Residents will be able to comment on the draft Alkimos Coastal Village Foreshore Management Plan during public advertising.
• Petitions concerning Jindalee development, Warradale Park, Cherokee Park and Warradale safety improvements will proceed through referral or future reports.
• The City reported $133.9 million in capital expenditure against a revised $146.8 million budget for 2025/26.
• Public access to Council meeting recordings is governed by a formal policy, with copies potentially subject to charges.

Places

• City of Wanneroo (local government area)
  Council, rates, budget, services and capital works.
• Alkimos Coastal Village (coastal development area)
  Draft foreshore management plan endorsed for public advertising.
• Warradale Community Park (community park)
  Petitions concern floodlight activation, evening access, safety, lighting and recreation improvements.
• Cherokee Park and Cherokee Green, Clarkson (park and residential area)
  Petition seeks replacement boundary shrubbery for privacy screening.
• 500K Maritime Drive, Jindalee (development site)
  Petition objects to proposed multiple dwellings.
• Neerabup Industrial Area (industrial and planning area)
  Public questions addressed planning, zoning and the proposed Neerabup Resource Recovery Precinct.
• Lot 600, Wattyl Avenue, Neerabup (land parcel)
  Questions concerned zoning, reservations and potential waste-to-energy planning.
• Wanneroo Civic Centre, 23 Dundebar Road (civic facility)
  Council meeting venue and location for accessing recordings.

Next

• Advertise the draft Alkimos Coastal Village Foreshore Management Plan and undertake further concept design and community engagement for facilities in Public Open Space E.
  Following the 25 August 2026 meeting; advertising period not stated in the extracted material.
• Prepare a report on the petition opposing multiple dwellings at 500K Maritime Drive, Jindalee.
  Future Council consideration; timing not stated.
• Report on the Cherokee Park shrubbery petition.
  Intended for the September 2026 Ordinary Council meeting.
• Report on Warradale Park safety and recreation improvement requests.
  Intended for the October 2026 Ordinary Council meeting.
• Consider future local government reform regulations and their implications for rates policy, meeting procedures and registers.
  Regulations were expected around mid-2027, according to the response recorded in the minutes.
• Publish recordings of Council proceedings and retain access in accordance with the recordings policy.
  No later than 14 days after the meeting, with access retained for at least five years.

Extract

COUNCIL MINUTES Unconfirmed Minutes Ordinary Council Meeting 6:00PM 25 August 2026 Council Chamber (Level 1), Civic Centre, 23 Dundebar Road, Wanneroo wanneroo.wa.gov.au RECORDING AND ACCESS TO RECORDINGS OF COUNCIL MEETINGS POLICY 1. POLICY STATEMENT All Ordinary and Special Meetings of Council, Agenda Briefing Forums and meetings of Electors will be live streamed and digitally recorded, consistent with the objectives of the Local Government Act 1995, section 1.3 (2)(c), which promotes greater accountability of local governments to their communities. This policy does not apply to any part of the meeting which is closed to the public in accordance with section 5.23 of the Local Government A...