Council Adopt Measured Approach to 2024/2025 Rates

The purpose of levying rates is to meet the Council’s budget requirements each financial year, enabling the Council to raise the necessary revenue to provide community facilities, infrastructure, and services, and to progress the aspirations and priorities identified by our community through the Strategic Community Plan.

Rates are determined by applying the rate in the dollar to the applicable valuation amount of the properties within the district. If applicable, a minimum rate is also applied. The Shire uses a minimum rate for each rating category in accordance with S6.35 of the Act, ensuring that properties with low valuations still contribute a fair and reasonable amount towards the maintenance and continuity of Shire infrastructure and services.

Over the past 12 months, rising costs have impacted households, businesses, plantations, and pastoral stations alike. The Shire has also felt the strain, working diligently to balance its budget. In the recent Council meeting, members also reviewed the proposed fencing for Pioneer Cemetery, estimated to cost approximately $162,500.

“The Shire’s costs have all gone up, from construction costs to maintenance and utilities, but so have the living costs of our ratepayers, so we want to minimise the hit if we can,” said Shire President Eddie Smith, adding “Council knows that we need to have some increase to be able to fund the service expectations of our community, we hope the community is understanding of this increase.”

The Notice of Intention to Impose Differential Rates is available to view on the website https://rebrand.ly/Notice-of-Differential-Rates as are the Objects and Reasons for Differential Rates. These are currently advertised, and feedback and submissions must be received by 4:00 pm on Thursday 4 July 2024.

For any further information or queries please contact the Shire at shire@carnarvon.wa.gov.au or (08) 9941 0000