Proposed Rates
Feedback is sought on the below proposed differential rates for the 2026/27 financial year. The draft 2026/27 budget includes an average increase of 7% for all differential rating categories except Unhosted Short Term Rental Accommodation (USTRA) (formerly Holiday Home) which has a 15.8% average increase. The increases are inclusive of an additional 1% contribution towards building the City’s financial reserves for future sport and recreation facilities across the district, equating to a total of 3% of rate revenue (approximately $2.29 million).
The proposed rates have been influenced by rising costs across local government and increasing demand for services in a growing community, with the draft budget seeking to provide ongoing quality community services and facilities while balancing the impact on ratepayers. If adopted, the proposed increase would result in the average residential ratepayer paying approximately $155 more per year.
Proposed Differential Rates
It is proposed for the 2026/27 financial year that the following rate in the dollar and minimum payment will apply for each differential rating category:
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Differential Rating Category
|
Rate in the $
|
Minimum Payment
|
|
GROSS RENTAL VALUATION PROPERTIES
|
|
Residential – Improved & Vacant
|
$0.073245
|
$1,842.00
|
|
Commercial - Improved & Vacant
|
$0.122773
|
$1,842.00
|
|
Industrial - Improved & Vacant
|
$0.125880
|
$1,842.00
|
|
Unhosted STRA (formerly Holiday Home)
|
$0.110496
|
$2,550.00
|
|
UNIMPROVED VALUATION PROPERTIES
|
|
Primary Production
|
$0.003033
|
$1,842.00
|
|
Commercial
|
$0.005637
|
$1,842.00
|
|
Rural
|
$0.002783
|
$2,010.00
|
|
Unhosted STRA (formerly Holiday Home)
|
$0.003541
|
$2,948.00
|
(**NOTE: Council when adopting the annual budget may vary the above proposed rate in the dollar and minimum payment amounts.)
Other Yearly Charges, Fees and Levies
All yearly charges, fees and levies are clearly outlined on your Rate Notice and may include:
Specified Area Proposed Rate in Dollar
It is proposed for the 2026/27 financial year that the following rate in the dollar will apply for the Specified Area’s as per the below maps:
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Specified Area Rates
|
Rate in the $
|
Total Rates
|
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GROSS RENTAL VALUATION PROPERTIES
|
|
PORT GEOGRAPHE
To all properties within the area known as Port Geographe, in order to meet the obligations of the City under the Port Geographe Management Deed. The rate is applied to all properties within the area of former Town Planning Scheme No. 19 based upon a property’s Gross Rental Value.
|
$0.011161
|
$315,605
|
|
PROVENCE
To all properties within the area known as the Provence Subdivision (Busselton Airport North), in order to hold funds for the maintenance of the approved higher standard of landscaping within the Provence subdivision in accordance with Council resolution C0806/172.
|
$0.009679
|
$261,430
|
|
VASSE
To all properties within the area known as the Vasse (Birchfields) Subdivision, in order to hold funds for the maintenance of the approved higher standard of landscaping within the Vasse (Birchfields) subdivision in accordance with Council resolution C0806/173.
|
$0.011931
|
$226,819
|
|
UNIMPROVED VALUATION PROPERTIES
|
|
PROVENCE
To all properties within the area known as the Provence Subdivision (Busselton Airport North), in order to hold funds for the maintenance of the approved higher standard of landscaping within the Provence subdivision in accordance with Council resolution C0806/172.
|
$0.000146
|
$906
|
(**NOTE: Council when adopting the annual budget may vary the above proposed rate in the dollar.)
Waste Infrastructure Rate
A rate in the dollar is levied to fund significant waste infrastructure development and boost recycling activities to reduce landfill. The rates in the dollar are:
- Unimproved Valuations – Rate in Dollar $0.0000050; Minimum Rate - $110
- Gross Rental Valuations – Rate in Dollar $0.00001; Minimum Rate - $110
Swimming Pool Fee
Charged per annum for properties that have on them a swimming pool, for an approved Council officer to inspect the safety requirements.
State Government Emergency Services Levy (ESL)
The Emergency Services Levy (ESL) is a compulsory State Government levy which is forwarded to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) to fund services such as fire and rescue services, bush fire brigades and state emergency services throughout Western Australia. For further information on ESL, please refer to the DFES website at or call 1300 136 099.
Did you know?
The Emergency Services Levy (ESL) funds Western Australia’s (WA) fire and emergency services, including Career and Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service brigades, Volunteer Fire and Emergency Service units, bushfire fighting and management services.
Objects and Reasons for Differential Rates
Differential Rates – Gross Rental Valuations (GRV)
Residential (Improved/Vacant)
The object of this category is to apply a differential general rate or minimum payment to land used or held or zoned for residential purposes. And to act as the City’s benchmark differential rate and minimum payment by which all other GRV rated properties are assessed.
The reason for this rate is to ensure that all ratepayers make a reasonable contribution towards the ongoing maintenance of public assets, infrastructure and facilities, as well the provision of community services throughout the district.
GRV - Unhosted Short Term Rental Accommodation (USTRA)
The object of this category is to apply a differential rate or minimum payment to land with a Gross Rental Value that is wholly or partly used or held or zoned for USTRA (formerly Holiday Home) purposes.
The reasons for this rate, additional to the reasons for the Residential rate category, is to assist with the funding of Tourism, Marketing, Events and Economic Development related projects, activities, and services throughout the district, as well as assist with the compliance costs associated with un-hosted short term residential accommodation. It is also to improve parity between the rating contribution of commercial accommodation providers and USTRA operators.
Commercial (Improved/Vacant)
The object of this category is to apply a differential rate or minimum payment to land wholly or partly used or held or zoned for Commercial purposes.
The reason for this rate, additional to the reasons for the Residential rate category, is in order to assist with the funding of Tourism, Marketing, Events and Economic Development related projects, activities and services throughout the district.
Industrial (Improved/Vacant)
The object of this category is to apply a differential rate or minimum payment to land wholly or partly used or held or zoned for Industrial purposes.
The reason for this rate, additional to the reasons for the Residential rate category, is to assist with the funding of Tourism, Marketing, Events and Economic Development related projects, activities and services throughout the district.
Differential Rates – Unimproved Valuations (UV)
Primary Production
The object of this category is to apply a differential general rate or minimum payment to land used or held or zoned for bona-fide primary production and is to act as the City’s benchmark differential rate by which all other UV rated properties are assessed.
The reason for this rate is to ensure that all ratepayers make a reasonable contribution towards the ongoing maintenance of public assets, infrastructure and facilities, as well the provision of community services throughout the district.
UV Rural
The object of this category is to apply a differential rate or minimum payment to land used or held or zoned for non-primary production or non-commercial purposes.
The reason for this rate is to acknowledge that the majority of properties in this category are typically of a rural residential nature and that the level of rating should be more reflective of such use.
UV - Unhosted Short Term Rental Accommodation (USTRA)
The object of this category is to apply a differential rate or minimum payment to land with an Unimproved Value that is wholly or partly used or held or zoned for USTRA (formerly Holiday Home)purposes.
The reason for this rate, additional to the reasons for the Residential rate category, is to assist with the funding of Tourism, Marketing, Events and Economic Development related projects, activities, and services throughout the district, as well as assist with the compliance costs associated with un-hosted short term residential accommodation. It is also to improve parity between the rating contribution of commercial accommodation providers and USTRA operators.
UV Commercial
The object of this category is to apply a differential rate or minimum payment to land with an Unimproved Value that is wholly or partly used or held or zoned for commercial purposes.
The reason for this rate, additional to the reasons for the Residential rate category, is in order to assist with the funding of Tourism, Marketing, Events and Economic Development related projects, activities and services throughout the district, and to achieve a fair and equitable level of rating between commercial properties within both the UV and GRV differential rating categories.
Related Information
Additional Rating Information and Objects and Reasons – 2026/27