THE City of Swan is looking at increasing rates by 4 per cent for the 2025-26 financial year following a 7-5 decision by councillors to advertise proposed differential and specified area rates.

Deputy mayor and Midland Guildford ward councillor Ian Johnson put up an unsuccessful alternative motion and said his reason for changing the officer’s recommendation was because while the administration’s recommendation was for a 4 per cent increase, the ABS monthly CPI indicator had increased just 2.4 per cent in the 12 months to February.

“The cost of living is impacting many City of Swan ratepayers particularly young families with recent mortgages in the newer suburbs and the city should not be adding to the pressure by raising rates above inflation,’’ he said.

“The community and business perception survey 2025 indicates that City of Swan ratepayers do not consider they are getting value for money from their rates so an above inflation rate rise won’t be welcome.

“In a survey done in October 2023 the largest single group of ratepayers thought the rate rise should be 0 per cent.’’

To save the city money he said the Perth Polo Club did not need $180,000, refurbishing the old BankWest building was not strategically aligned as it  was likely the City of Swan local government area would be reconfigured and would not need so much office space in Midland, more roads were not needed for the Midland oval redevelopment master plan as there was no recent sign of private investment in the MORM and Henley Brook Ave was not supported by councillors so it should not be in the budget.

Arguing against Cr Johnson’s motion Pearce ward councillor Cate McCullough said the community’s needs were growing and it was false economy to consider a 0 per cent rate rise.

“The long-term impact of a nil-rate adjustment – I believe you saw the slides in some of our budgetary workshops – (has) serious ramifications into the next five, 10, 15 and 20 years – it is scary and these will only exacerbate as we continue,’’ she said.

“This is a growth council and we are looking at accommodating many more people – far more infrastructure is required for the people that are coming into our local government area.

“We need to get value – we’ve got drainage, roads, paths, buildings, waste – people think they’re not getting value well I can tell you there is so much there and people need to understand what we are doing with our rates it is feasible and we need to follow this increase this year.”

The proposed differential rates have to be advertised for a minimum of 21 days for public comment prior to consideration for adoption.