THE City of Swan Council has adopted their 2026-27 budget, which aims to accommodate a growing community while continuing to deliver services for residents.

The budget’s $271 million operating expenditure includes investment in roads, parks maintenance, waste services, library and cultural programs and leisure facilities.

Council also endorsed the city’s corporate business plan 2026-27 to 2029-30 which outlines how services and projects will be delivered within available resources.

This year’s budget planning process carefully considered the effects of growing inflationary pressures as well as the effects of potential supply chain disruptions.

City of Swan Mayor Tanya Richardson said the budget’s focus was on balancing affordability with the provision and maintenance of the services and infrastructure benefiting the community in the long-term.

“This budget sets out our continuing commitment to invest in the community facilities, parks, open spaces and first-class transport infrastructure that make the City of Swan a great place to live, work and play,” she said.

“It will help ensure we achieve these goals by keeping our finances strong and sustainable.”

As reported in Swan 4.95% rate hike (Echo News, June 26), a special council meeting budget debate by council in late June resulted in a 4.95 per cent property rate hike for the 2026-27 financial year to fund the incoming budget.

The resolution followed weeks of council deliberations regarding how to balance an increase in city expenditure of 10.37 per cent expected for the 2026-27 financial year.

The city has allocated $326m to capital works over the next 12 months, enabling the delivery of essential community enhancement, maintenance and infrastructure projects.

Highlights include Swan Active Ellenbrook being allocated $85m to be completed, while playground upgrades and improvements was allocated $2.07m.

Public spaces are set to receive a boost with $1.95m set aside for park and streetscapes renewals.

Road upgrades and maintenance will cost the city an estimated $35.3m in the upcoming financial year.

Pedestrians and cyclists will also have $2.7m worth of works to look forward to.

$1.5m has been allocated for street tree planting to grow the city’s urban canopy, with a further $387,500 and $150,000 set aside for bushland preservation and foreshore preservation respectively.

Finally, $2.1m has been allocated for preservation and renewal of heritage buildings and $388,000 is to be spent on mobile CCTV networks and security equipment.

“The large-scale consultation we carried out earlier in 2026 told us what our community values most – safe streets, vibrant local places, access to quality facilities, and a flourishing, sustainable natural environment,” Ms Richardson said.

“We’re proud to deliver a budget that will deliver on those priorities while planning to meet the longer-term expectations of a growing population.

“The 2026/27 budget supports the city’s future-focused vision for a stronger, more resilient Swan, helping to build a place the community is proud to call home.”