Budget and rates announced for 2026-27
The City of Subiaco will see one of the lowest rates increases in the Perth metropolitan area, with Council endorsing the 2026-27 budget and a modest rate rise of 2.9 per cent at last night’s meeting.
This increase is below the CPI increase (4 per cent) for the 12 months in the lead-up to May 2026.
Although the City’s annual increase has been a steady 1.9 per cent for the past four years, this year’s increase reflects growing operational costs, including those associated with protecting of the City’s tree canopy against polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) and heat stress.
Mayor David McMullen said, “The City of Subiaco’s 2026-27 budget is responsible, community-focussed, and resources the City to keep delivering the services, places, and projects that matter most.
“Costs everywhere are rising, and we know the effect this has on households and businesses. For this reason, after four consecutive years of even lower (1.9 per cent) rate increases, Council has endorsed a rate rise which – although one per cent greater than last year – will still be one of the lowest in the Perth metropolitan area, and will stay below CPI.
“We have kept rates as low as possible, for as long as possible – and we continue to do so this coming financial year.
“This budget funds the things that matter to our community; from infrastructure and projects that improve road safety and create better public spaces, to heritage preservation, ongoing vibrancy and activation, and growing our urban tree canopy.
“It also resources the City to meet emerging and ongoing environmental challenges.”
The standard annual residential waste service change remains unchanged at $408, and the minimum rate payment will be $1224.50.
A 50 per cent discount on waste service charges will be automatically applied for pensioners and seniors who are registered with the City for a full rebate on rates and charges at 1 July 2026.
The State Government’s Emergency Services Levy (ESL) charge, set by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, will increase between 4.6 and 5.1 per cent, dependent on your property type.
The impact of revaluations
Each year, the dollar amount in your rates notice is calculated by applying the rate set by Council, to the gross rental value (“GRV”) for your property (unless your property attracts a minimum rate).
2026 is also a revaluation year.
Occurring every three years, and conducted by the Valuer-General (an independent state-level statutory authority not controlled by local government) a ‘revaluation’ is a reassessment of individual property and land values to ensure rates are distributed fairly across the market.
During the revaluation process, the Valuer-General determines the GRV of all properties in the state to assess what land is worth, and as such, how rates should be adjusted within the context of the changing real estate market.
As a result, the dollar amount payable by most ratepayers when they receive this year’s rates notices will have increased from last year by more than the 2.9 per cent adopted by Council – reflecting not only Council’s adopted rate increase, but also updated property valuations.
Across the City, residential GRVs have increased on average by 40 per cent, with commercial GRVs increasing on average by 6 per cent.
View frequently asked questions about the revaluation process on our Rates webpage.
Budget highlights
Highlights within this year’s budget include:
Initiation of a master planning project for the Subiaco North area, including Market Square Park, Roberts Road and Haydn Bunton crossings, and Subiaco Train Station, to improve safety, amenity, commercial activation, and movement connections
Restoration works to preserve the Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Clock Tower for future generations
The planned implementation of the area-wide 40km/h speed limit project, in partnership with Main Roads WA, to further improve pedestrian safety
A partnership with the Onslow Park Tennis Club to enable upgrades to club facilities.
The budget also includes a $17.6 million capital works program which will fund important renewal, upgrade and new asset development projects including:
· Refurbishment of the Shenton Park Community Centre
· Purchase of three new waste trucks
· Progress on the Rokeby Road South Streetscape upgrade
· Various street greening initiatives, laneway amenity improvements, road safety improvements, footpath and cycle path upgrades, and playground renewals.
To register to receive your Rates Notice via email, visit erateswa.com/Subiaco.