funding · City of Wanneroo
79-signature petition fails to shift Wanneroo’s adopted 6% rate rise
The 2026/27 increase remains in place after ratepayer opposition was considered, with future rises to be weighed against CPI, service costs and asset maintenance.
Wanneroo ratepayers will still face the adopted 6% increase for 2026/27 after the City of Wanneroo considered a petition signed by 79 people opposing the rise. The increase remains in place and was adopted as part of the 2026/27 Budget at a Special Council Meeting on 7 July 2026.
Petition PT01-07/26 was considered at the City’s 25 August Ordinary Council meeting. Because the 6% increase had already been adopted in the budget, consideration of the petition did not rescind or alter the current rate increase.
The City said future increases can be capped at or below the Consumer Price Index. Any cap would need to be considered against the City’s financial position, the cost of services and the need to maintain its assets.
Financial results presented to Council showed mixed movements. Materials and contracts expenditure was $5.5 million below the revised budget, while utility charges were $0.6 million above budget. Employee costs, depreciation and asset-disposal losses also recorded unfavourable variances.
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. Its top capital projects accounted for $75.1 million against a combined budget of $78.1 million.
Council also reported that 87 of 94 City of Wanneroo Council Plan initiatives, or 92.6%, were on target, being monitored or completed at the end of 2025/26.
Those financial and performance figures provide context for future rate-setting, but they do not change the increase already adopted for 2026/27. The immediate outcome for ratepayers is that the 79-signature petition has been considered while the 6% rise remains in place. Future increases will be assessed against CPI, service costs, the City’s financial position and asset-maintenance needs.
Reference minutes
This report is based on the City of Wanneroo Ordinary Council meeting held on 25 August 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- A petition opposing the proposed 6% 2026/27 rate increase was presented with 79 signatures.
- The 6% increase was adopted as part of the 2026/27 Budget on 7 July 2026.
- The adopted increase remains in place after council considered the petition.
- Council said future increases could be capped at or below CPI, subject to the City’s financial position, service costs and asset-maintenance needs.
- Materials and contracts expenditure was $5.5 million below the revised budget, while utility charges were $0.6 million above budget.
- The City recorded $133.9 million in capital expenditure against a revised $146.8 million budget for 2025/26.
Why it matters
- The adopted 6% increase remains in place for 2026/27. Any future cap at or below CPI would have to be balanced against service costs, the City’s financial position and asset-maintenance needs.