A HIGHLY charged budget debate has concluded with the City of Swan council voting 9-5 to pass a 4.95 per cent property rate hike for the 2026-27 financial year.

The resolution, carried during a special council meeting on June 22, 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 original advertised rate increase of 5.5 per cent went to public comment earlier this month as reported in Swan rate hike goes to public comment and received more than 1821 submissions from the public.

During floor deliberations, elected members weighed that baseline figure against an alternative motion introduced by Cr Aaron Bowman that detailed a total 0 per cent rate freeze across residential, general, and agricultural properties.

To offset the resulting $6 million budget shortfall, Cr Bowman outlined operational cutbacks, which included the permanent decommissioning of the Guildford Library alongside axing community programs such as KERBfest and Ellenbrook sporting programs.

Cr Bowman said his motion was designed to show the chamber exactly what a rate freeze would entail, stating that he wanted to ensure council does not hide from ratepayers what it takes to achieve a 0 per cent rate increase.

“It annoys me year after year that some around this table support a 0 per cent rate increase but have never in my time provided a motion that provides the details required on how it could occur,” he said.

“For those that have indicated to a 0 per cent increase I must ask you, how did you think this could be achieved.

“Talk is cheap without action.”

Following a vote against the 0 per cent increase motion of 13-1, Cr Rod Henderson introduced another alternative motion, of a rate increase of only 4.95 percent.

“I think Cr Henderson’s motion is reasonable, measured, and provides a way forward in a climate that is challenging in all levels of government and a climate that is challenging with cost of living,” Cr McCullough said speaking for the motion.

“We heard Cr Bowman’s motion that the proposed net reductions of approximately $6m from operating costs and [the] idea that gave you of the scale of loss of services that would be required to achieve a 0 per cent rate increase.”

While the 4.95 per cent model successfully preserved community facilities, it left an immediate shortfall of approximately $500,000, which is expected to be accommodated by decreasing the budgeted fuel expenses for the city.

Not speaking as a representative of the council, Cr Henderson told Echo News that there has been public pushback at the idea of the Guildford Library closing, but it was never a move the council seriously considered.

“A motion was moved to show councillors what would be necessary to achieve such a massive drop in net revenue of $6m,” he said.

“It demonstrated $288,305 is needed to retain Guildford Library. It was not going to occur, even those that are steadfast on no rate increases ended up voting against it bar one.

“To do so would be a clear path to long term failure across the city, not just the Guildford Library.”

Cr Henderson’s motion was carried 9-5, establishing the framework before the 2026-27 differential rates return to council later next month for formal adoption.