Community feedback sought on proposed 3.3 per cent City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder rates hike

Community feedback is sought on a proposed maximum 3.3 per cent rate-in-the-dollar and minimum payment increase for Kalgoorlie-Boulder residents next financial year, with some councillors expressing a desire to see the figure reduced before it is adopted.

At Monday night’s meeting, councillors unanimously endorsed the proposed rates model — which includes an overall rates revenue yield increase of 5.01 per cent — for public submissions up to June 10.

The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder expects the proposed 2025-26 rates revenue yield to be $35,822,553 compared to the current financial year revenue of $34,112,213.

The agenda item report tabled at the meeting said this was equivalent to a 3.3 per cent increase to the rate-in-the-dollar and minimum payments.

The report said this increase was necessary to meet the anticipated revenue requirements for the 2025-26 budget, addressing the changing economic conditions across the city.

It said the proposed hike was below the Local Government Cost Index June forecast of 3.6 per cent but above the CPI rate of 2.8 per cent.

Mayor Glenn Wilson welcomed community feedback on the proposal to be considered before a rates model was adopted at a future meeting, but stressed the 3.3 per cent was the maximum increase to be considered by the city.

He said rates accounted for a quarter to a third of the city’s revenue, with government grant funding making up a significant portion as well.

“Community expectations of what council should be delivering is quite high,” Mr Wilson said.

“Balancing that up with a figure that is the least impactful as possible to our residents and ratepayers had been key for these conversations to the point where council have instructed staff to look at mechanisms that we could have at our disposal — which we already do for hardship payments — and to make sure that we’re only putting up the minimum to help those who are finding it difficult.”

Cr Carla Viskovich, who moved the motion on Monday night, said the city had “ambitious goals”, including plans to renew ageing infrastructure, and she looked forward to the council continuing to be transparent with the community about how rates funding was used.

While ultimately supporting the motion, Cr Terrence Winner said he was not committing to the 3.3 per cent figure “completely”.

“At this point in time, we as a council are very well aware, and it has been discussed around the table on numerous occasions, that most people are hurting at the moment with the cost-of-living pressures and financial instability,” he said.

“I think we need to continue to explore ways to support our community through this time; by keeping our belts tight we can keep any increases as low as possible and charge those with greater capacity more, while reviewing city expenditure to keep in line with community capabilities, expectations and community growth.

“Our community wants to see that if we are investing money into projects and programs that we’re getting great outcomes in delivering these projects.”

Cr Nardia Turner said her hope was for the rate increase to be reduced when the issue returned to council.

The report to council also noted an anticipated 3 per cent increase in operating expenditure for 2025-26 and an expected $77 million in capital works.