Mosman Park adopts budget for ‘long-term financial sustainability’ amid rates rise to fund community projects

Rates in the Town of Mosman Park will be going up to fund the town’s community-focused budget amidst unrelenting cost-of-living pressures. A 5.9 per cent rates increase was unanimously adopted at the June 30 council meeting. This will contribute towards a $17.7 million budget focusing on community facilities and essential services such as roads, playground upgrades and urban canopy. Councillors acknowledged the rising cost-of-living pressures affecting ratepayers but said the increase was necessary to balance a “financially sustainable future” for the town. “The budget is the product of six council workshops, rigorous financial analysis and alignment with our strategic community plan and long-term financial forecasts. It delivers a balanced, responsible financial plan, it sustains services, supports asset renewal and advances our long-term financial sustainability,” Cr Nick Lonie said. “The budget funds a targeted capital works program of more than $2m, prioritising local road resurfacing, key community facility upgrades including bowling club roofs, footpaths and playground renewals and essential infrastructure maintenance. “Adopting this budget ... balances fiscal prudence with the infrastructure and service needs residents expect.” The $2.6m capital works program will primarily focus on infrastructure maintenance, with $738,000 dedicated to general infrastructure, $432,000 for road works, $219,000 for footpaths and $155,000 for drainage. Parks and reserves have been allocated $428,000 and buildings will receive $324,000. The council also noted the 2026-27 financial year is a gross rental value (GRV) revaluation year, meaning WA valuer general Carlo Tassone has reassessed rental values for properties across the town. Cr Sarah Corbyn said this could mean some ratepayers will see a bigger shift in their rates than others, with some potentially seeing a lower increase. “I’d like to note that the rate increase is 5.9 per cent, but that will look different for different households because it’s also a GRV (year), so some people might actually see lower rates in their rates bill,” she said. “I’d also like to note that half of that per cent in percentage increase was applied to the minimum rate value, which was 2.95 per cent, so the minimum rates will be $1032. “That’s just trying to acknowledge the cost-of-living pressures that exist, especially for people at the lower end of the rates spectrum.” Priority projects in the budget include $500,000 for Glyde Street improvements, $300,000 for road resurfacing on Wellington Street, $125,000 for the Stirling Highway footpath replacement, and $120,000 for the Buckland Hill playground renewal. Community sporting facilities will also be supported, with $150,000 going towards both the roof restoration works at Mosman Park Bowling Club and the Mann Oval skate bowl and basketball court replacement. Mosman Park Tennis Club will also receive $70,000 towards air-conditioning and court upgrades. Deputy mayor Andrew Maurice said the rates increase was necessary to improve town safety, accessibility and liveability. “While no rate increase is ever welcomed by residents, we have a responsibility to recognise the increasing costs faced by local government inflation, rising construction costs and ongoing service delivery pressures means that maintaining the status quo is simply not an option if we wanted to continue to deliver quality services and invest in our community,” he said. “Importantly, this budget invests in projects that our community will see and benefit from, including road surfacing, footpath renewal, upgrades on Glide Street, upgrades to Buckland Hill Playground, improvements at Mann Oval, works at our sporting clubs, and other works to parks and gardens.” The first rates instalment is due on September 2. Ratepayers can select to pay in full or in four instalments throughout the year, with the following due dates being November 4, January 11 and March 17. Those who pay in instalments will need to pay an instalment administration charge of $44.70 plus 5.5 per cent interest.