A PROPOSED 5.5 per cent average rate increase for the City of Swan has progressed to a 21-day public comment window following an 8-5 vote at last aMonday’s Special Council Meeting.

If approved, the increase will add an average of $1.69 per week to local household expenditures.

During the council debate, Cr Ian Johnson argued against the proposal, stating that advertising a 5.5 per cent increase is way too high during a period of economic pressure.

“We’re advertising that we intend to increase rates by 5.5 per cent and this is way too high in my view,” he said.

“I think 0 per cent will be the best rate rise or somewhere close to it.

“To have a 0 per cent rate rise, we’d need to save about $10 million.

“We’d have to reduce capital expenditure on low priority municipally funded capital and reduce admin overhead by increasing efficiency and productivity.

“In financial years 2021-22 and 2022-23, this council did not increase rates.

“The sky did not fall, and the city continued to operate.”

Arguing for the motion, Cr Mel Congerton defended the necessity of the advertising process and highlighted the community consequences of a potential budget freeze.

“Some councillors are suggesting that we go to a zero-rate increase and then cut $10 million worth of operational or capital works off the program,” he said.

“Now that could entail closing down facilities, not providing the maintenance that we do in our parks and gardens, which people are saying is not enough in the first place.

“Why is it that local government has to be the saviour, why do we have to go out and cut all the services that we all currently enjoy because people don’t want to pay another $1.50 a week.”

Meanwhile, neighbouring councils are also preparing to advertise similar municipal rate adjustments for the upcoming financial year.

The Town of Bassendean has proposed to increase average general rates by 5.9 per cent at a Special Council Meeting on May 19, which has also progressed to a public comment window.

The City of Kalamunda is similarly introducing an average 5.8 per cent increase to rates among residents following a unanimous vote at its May 26 ordinary council meeting.

For both Kalamunda and Swan, community members can make formal submissions regarding the rate differentials until June 18.

Bassendean residents have until June 12 to make submissions before the 2026-27 budget is finalised.