FAQs

The proposal for 2026/27 includes a 7% increase for residential properties. This includes 1% of rate revenue to the sport and recreation infrastructure reserve. 

The average household will pay an additional $2.98 per week, or $155 per year.

• Complete the submission form on Your Say below
• Email City@busselton.wa.gov.au 
• Submit in writing, addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, City of Busselton, Locked Bag 1, Busselton WA 6280

Local government rates are a contribution each property owner makes towards the cost of providing facilities and services in their local community. Anyone owning residential, rural, vacant, industrial, commercial property, a mining tenement or lease crown including local government property in the City of Busselton is a ratepayer. Some government bodies, educational and registered charitable organisations are exempt from paying rates.

Annual rates ensure the continuation of quality services throughout the City of Busselton district now and into the future.  These services are broad and include:

• The provision of well maintained public open space – parks, playgrounds, foreshores, reserves, sporting ovals
• The provision of community facilities like the geographe leisure centre, naturalist community centre, youth centres, libraries, and the cultural precinct
• The construction and maintenance of roads, footpaths, cycleways, car parks and supporting infrastructure such as drainage, street lighting, signage
• The maintenance of beaches, boat ramps and jetties
• The provision of waste services
• Services to support the planned and orderly development of the district including regulatory services like rangers
• Funding for future capital investment

Further information about local government services can be found on the WALGA website.

Every ratepayer uses one or more facilities provided by Council. The moment you drive out of your property onto a road you are using a Council facility. If you live outside of the City and have a rental property, then your tenant uses Council's facilities.

Like many organisations, the City is facing increasing operational costs. To ensure we can continue to fund essential services and maintain safe, well-maintained facilities and infrastructure for the community, we need to make some adjustments to differential rate in the dollar for various rating categories.

This table below summarises the proposed minimum payments and rate in the dollar for each rating category. 

The average household will pay an additional $2.98 per week, or $155 per year.