Grim news for owners of vacant land in one Perth suburb
The rates increase is part of the city's 2025-26 budget that was adopted unanimously at the council's June 17 meeting.
In a media statement, the city said the budget focused on essential services and projects that mattered most to the community.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.
It said while residents were feeling the pressure of a challenging economic climate, the city was also continuing to face rising costs.
Residents in the city will have a 4.5 per cent increase in rates, which equates to $1.41 per week or $73.25 per year.
Rates for vacant residential properties will increase by 25 per cent.
Mayor Alison Xamon said they knew people were 'doing it tough' so the budget aimed to balance the pressure of the city's rising costs while ensuring it delivered core services and continued working on main projects.
'This is why we have worked hard to form a responsible budget that goes back to basics and ensures our roads, drainage, footpaths, playgrounds and facilities are accessible and kept to a high standard.' she said.
'We were recently named the second largest metropolitan council by the Office of the Auditor General for best practice in financial reporting and one of the top 20 councils in WA.
'This achievement is a testament to how seriously we take transparency and accountability in our financial management for our community.'
The budget includes funding for infrastructure upgrades, playground renewals, tree planting and community programs such as events like Rainbow Picnic, Festival of Culture, Perth Festival and Jazz Picnic in the Park.
'Our parks and sporting facilities are well-used by both locals and visitors to Vincent so we continue to invest in the maintenance and upgrade of these spaces,' Ms Xamon said.
'New playgrounds are planned for Brigatti Gardens, Britannia Reserve South and Hyde Park West, ensuring our parks continue to provide safe and enjoyable spaces for local families.
'One of our top priorities is to increase the tree canopy in Vincent, and this year we will be planting more trees and continuing to respond to the polyphagous shot-hole borer infestation.'
Vincent was ranked the eighth-lowest residential rating councils in metropolitan Perth in 2024-25.
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