Karratha council proposes two per cent rate rise

Ratepayers are in line to receive a 2 per cent rate rise across all land categories under a proposed new rates model from the City of Karratha.

Councillors voted in favour of putting the draft new model out for community consultation at a council meeting last week.

The planned increase would see the average residential ratepayer pay another $44 a year and commercial ratepayers contribute another $139 on average.

The commercial and industrial differential rating categories would also be combined under the new model.

City Mayor Peter Long said the 2 per cent increase to residential ratepayers would strike a balance between revenue requirements and current economic conditions.

“Council’s annual community survey demonstrates that while the community is happy with the City’s performance, they would like to see more and better services delivered by the City,” he said.

“The proposed rating model would meet the anticipated rise in revenue requirements, which includes the maintenance of new facilities such as the Red Earth Arts Precinct, Karratha Tourism and Visitor Centre, Wickham Community Hub, Balyarra Parkway and Dampier Palms and Hampton Oval foreshore redevelopment.”

The proposed rate rise is slightly below the 2.1 per cent figure recommended by City officers to keep rates in step with inflation.

The City receives about one-third of its total revenue from rates.

Cr Long said the City had worked hard to reduce its reliance on its rates by securing a majority of funding from other avenues, including government grants, private companies or through fees and charges.

The council will make a final decision on the proposed rates model in May.