BOTH the Shire of Northam and Shire of Toodyay have adopted their budgets for 2026-27 with a focus on roadworks and infrastructure spending.

Shire of Northam councillors unanimously adopted a $12.64 million capital program at their July 29 meeting.

The program includes $4.37m for roads, $757,041 for drainage and $303,479 for bridges.

The shire expects to collect $13.82m in rates, representing about 58 per cent of its operating revenue.

Residential waste charges will increase by about 10 per cent, with the general waste charge rising from $216 to $238 and recycling from $111 to $122.

The combined charge will rise by $33 to $360.

The budget also includes $2.1m in new borrowing, comprising $1.1m for an upgrade of the shire’s administration centre and $1m for a wastewater reuse project.

More than $1.56m from the previous year’s surplus will be transferred into reserves.

This includes $500,000 for roads and drainage, $421,423 for shire buildings and $300,000 towards an all-abilities playground.

A further $122,865 will be reserved for office equipment and the shire website, $116,013 for plant and $101,454 for its refuse site.

The budget also contains $35,000 for the recruitment of a new chief executive following the resignation of chief executive Debbie Terelinck.

Commercial rates will continue to fund a $127,000 contribution to the Northam Chamber of Commerce.

Only one public submission was received after the shire advertised its proposed differential and minimum rates.

Shire of Toodyay councillors adopted their budget on August 6.

The budget provides for $12.34m in operating revenue and $15.76m in operating expenditure, as well as an $8.81m capital program.

Its largest capital allocation is $3.77m for road construction.

Other projects include $2.15m for Batty Pass land development, $596,700 for key-worker accommodation and $160,000 for standpipe upgrades and refurbishments.

The shire has also allocated $110,000 for an accessible public toilet at Newcastle Park, $108,753 for two replacement water tanks at the Julimar fire station and $30,000 for a replacement niche wall at Toodyay cemetery.

Toodyay’s total rates revenue will increase by 5 per cent to $8.66m, half a percentage point below the increase advertised for public comment.

The minimum payment across the shire’s rating categories will rise from $1495 to $1570.

The annual domestic rubbish and recycling charge has been set at $382, while the minimum waste transfer levy will be $111.

Councillors amended the rates instalment dates during the meeting after officers discovered the dates published in the agenda were three days short of statutory requirements.

Payments will be due on September 30, December 1, February 1 and April 1.

Cr Rosemary Madacsi said she did not believe the budget adequately addressed the community’s interests.

“There are some expenditure items that I’m concerned about and a lack of addressing of certain items that need to be addressed,” she said.

Cr Madacsi declined during the meeting to identify the items.

Shire of Toodyay President Michael McKeown said councillors had held robust budget discussions and had responded to unexpected financial pressures, including costs associated with Newcastle Bridge.

“I think this budget is certainly the best that we can put together at this time,” he said.