City of South Perth Council adopts 2026/27 Budget

Residents will benefit from more welcoming public spaces, greener streetscapes, safer roads and strengthened community safety initiatives under the City of South Perth’s 2026/27 Budget. 

The break-even Budget, endorsed at a Special Council Meeting on Thursday 18 June 2026, proposes a rate rise of 5.95 per cent, which equates to around $2.54 per week for the average ratepayer. This follows seven consecutive years of keeping rate increases at or below inflation. 

While this year’s rate increase is above Perth’s March inflation rate of 4.6 per cent, it’s necessary to fund the ongoing delivery of essential services, asset maintenance and renewal, and continued investment in community infrastructure.  

The increase takes into account rising costs across key areas, including utilities, construction, materials, fuel, insurance and contracted services, as global conflict, supply chain disruptions and economic uncertainty continue to impact prices. Despite this year’s increase, the City’s cumulative rates increase of 21.7% over the past seven years remains significantly below the March CPI cumulative total of 27.3% over the same period. 

 City of South Perth rates movements 

City of South Perth Mayor Greg Milner said the Budget balanced the need to maintain and improve community infrastructure while remaining mindful of cost-of-living pressures. 

“We do not take the decision to increase rates lightly and have deliberated extensively to tightly manage this budget and ensure we can continue to maintain our $800 million worth of public assets, while still protecting the City’s long-term financial health – all while minimising the impact on ratepayers,” Mayor Milner said. 

“Residents rightly expect us to continue investing in the green spaces, roads, facilities and the high-quality services that make the City of South Perth a great place to live, work and play, while also ensuring we manage ratepayer funds responsibly. 

“We have also taken into consideration the impact the State Government’s legislated three-year property revaluation will have on some ratepayers, as changes in property values will affect individual rates notices.” 

The 2026/27 Annual Budget includes an operating expenditure of $80.15 million and a capital expenditure of $44.92 million, the City's most significant yet. 

Mayor Milner said the Budget delivered important upgrades across the City, from parks and public amenities to road safety improvements, urban greening projects and strengthened community safety initiatives 

“The Budget includes significant investment in community facilities and public spaces, new pedestrian footpaths and road upgrades, maintenance of our iconic South Perth foreshore, and a new playground at George Burnett Reserve, while also finalising upgrades to all-gender changerooms at sporting reserves,” he said. 

"The City is also continuing its commitment to urban greening and environmental sustainability through the Coode Street riverbank restoration project, measures to combat the polyphagous shot-hole borer, urban greening initiatives and the completion of the final stage of the Sir James Mitchell Park irrigation project.  

"Community safety and connection remain a priority, with funding allocated towards community activations, lighting upgrades and improved security." 

Budget highlights