SHIRE of Mundaring has adopted its 2025-26 budget which will see a 3.5 per cent rate hike, equating to about $1.40 a week.
Council has also endorsed its corporate business plan, setting a course to deliver the community’s long term vision through place-based planning, sustainable investment and responsible financial management.
Shire President Paige McNeil said the budget was developed over a four-month period with strong councillor involvement and reflects the priorities of the community.
“We’re investing over $23 million this year in capital projects, responding to priorities shaped by our community. Many of our key recreation spaces are receiving significant enhancements to support active, healthy lifestyles and vibrant village communities,” she said.
The budget delivers meaningful investment across the shire’s three place planning areas – foothills, hills, and rural – with a strong focus on community infrastructure, accessibility and revitalisation.
Community project highlights include:
• Brown Park Upgrades – progressing of the Brown Park Master Plan with new car parking, public toilets and oval lighting while we commence planning for additional youth facilities such as a skate park, to be delivered in 2026-27.
• Mundaring Cultural Hub – continuing to progress the Mundaring Town Centre revitalisation with finalisation of detailed planning for the flagship Mundaring Cultural Hub project, while reinvigorating the Sculpture Park Amphitheatre.
• Elsie Austin Oval Changerooms – upgrading public changerooms to be universally accessible and commencing planning for upgrades at the Boya and Glen Forrest sporting precincts.
In addition to these major projects, the shire will invest,approximately $13.3m towards roads, footpaths and drainages, around $9m for the enhancement of parks, ovals and reserves and a further $9m to renew and improve community buildings.
President McNeil said council had taken a measured approach in setting the 2025-26 budget, remaining mindful of cost-of-living pressures affecting the community, local businesses and the shire’s operations.
“This is a forward-looking budget focused on delivering positive outcomes for our community while maintaining the essential services and facilities our community relies on,” she said.
“We remain committed to supporting our volunteer bushfire brigades and ensuring that mitigation efforts are carefully balanced with environmental protection and enhancement.
“With an average rate increase of approximately 3.5 per cent, equating to around $1.40 per week, the budget delivers meaningful community progress while keeping affordability at its core.”
Developed through extensive councillor collaboration and informed by community input, the budget advances Our Plan for the Future – council plan 2024-34, a unified roadmap reflecting the shire’s values, vision and priorities.
Residents are invited to explore what the 2025-26 budget means for them by visiting the shire’s website or reviewing the special council meeting agenda on the shire website.
