Town of Cambridge adopts 2023-2024 Annual Budget

Published on 08 September 2023

Town of Cambridge rate increases for 2023/24 have been capped at 2%, one of the lowest rate rises in the Perth metropolitan area this financial year. The new rates take effect from 31 August with rate notices being sent out on 7 September.

Town of Cambridge Mayor Keri Shannon said this year’s fiscally responsible budget will allow the Town to cover operating costs, which are more than $3.5 million higher than last year, while operating efficiently and effectively and enabling investments in the Town’s facilities and technology.

“Many of our residents are managing challenging household budgets this year, and so Council is proud to deliver a modest increase which is significantly less than inflation,” Mayor Shannon said.

“Importantly the Town has made the right decision to invest over $4.5m to improve accessibility at Floreat Surf Lifesaving Club, Lake Monger Recreation Club, Sydney Cheek Pavilion Club and Leederville Sporting Club ensuring all residents can access and enjoy these outstanding Cambridge community facilities.

“Our residents and ratepayers can also have confidence that our Town is investing in technology to protect our valuable data and systems that support running a modern Town such as Cambridge.”

“One example of technology investment is at Wembley Golf Course which is a hugely popular community facility that also provides an important revenue source for our Town and that revenue is used to subside rates. Around $200,000 will be allocated to upgrading the driving range while a $110,000 investment will boost its cyber security,” the Mayor said.

The 2% increase of 38c per week on the minimum rate continues a run of minimal rate increases for the Town of Cambridge since 2018.

This budget ensures that ratepayers are continuing to receive value for money, and that the Town continues to deliver and develop vital community services and projects, including:

• Weekly rubbish collections and fortnightly rubbish recycling services

• One hard waste and two green waste verge side collections per year

• Road and transport upgrades and maintenance to improve safety and congestion, including $796,000 of works on Cambridge Street and more than $200,000 on the intersection of Jersey Street and Grantham Street

• More than $1.5 million investment in lighting and facilities at parks, playgrounds and sporting facilities

• Greening our Town by planting more trees to increase our urban tree canopy with an investment of more than $160,000 in the Urban Forest Accelerated Tree Planting program.