City of Swan Rates

Thank you for your submission to the City of Swan (the City) regarding the intention to levy differential rates for the 2023/24 financial year. The City has read and considered all the feedback received, and we thank you for taking the time to provide your input.

A report summarising the submissions we received was tabled and discussed at a Special Council Meeting held on May 30, 2023.

Most of the submissions we received requested that the City minimise the proposed rate increase due to current cost of living pressures and other factors.

We are pleased to advise that the Council listened to your feedback and endorsed a 3.25 per cent increase at the Special Council Meeting on May 30, 2023. This was 0.5 per cent lower than the advertised 3.75 per cent rate increase.

This means that the total rates revenue collected per rateable property by the City in 2023/24 will be 3.25 per cent higher than in the 2022/23 financial year.

The City’s adopted 2023/24 budget is the result of months of deliberation and collaboration to find savings, while taking into consideration the current economic climate, the growth of the community and increased need for services, maintenance and infrastructure. Differential rates are reviewed each year as part of the City’s annual budget process to ensure we can continue to cover our costs.

The City understands that changes in the Gross Rental Valuations (GRV) and Unimproved Valuations (UV) – which are outside of the City’s control – of rateable properties in 2023/24 will also have an impact on rate values. This means some rates notices will be higher and some lower for 2023/24 in comparison to 2022/23, regardless of the 3.25 per cent increase adopted by Council.

In additional to cost of living pressures, the other main theme in the submissions we received was that the City is not spending enough on service delivery or capital projects. In adopting a rate increase that is much lower than the current rate of inflation, the City has taken a prudent approach to the cost of service delivery.

The City will continue to consider any specific and voluntary requests by our ratepayers for a review of their property’s valuation method, as per the current Local Government Act 1995.

If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact our Rating Services office on (08) 9267 9160.

Thank you again for your support and engagement with the City of Swan.