City of Stirling Budget Newsletter 2025/26

Stirling Leisure – Hamersley Public Golf Course’s new state-of-the-art driving range.

Budget Newsletter

Financial Year 2025/26

Co uncil Rates Calculated

Waste and Recycling

Community Safety Services

Pay Your Rates

Your Rates Notice

Mayor and Councillors

We will support our community through our $1 million Community Grants Program and our Safer Suburbs Rebate for security equipment. Another $740,000 will go towards event sponsorships so we can keep attracting world-class events to our City. As this is an election year, we must also allocate funding for the delivery of the 2025 local government election. To balance the budget, we have increased average residential rates by 4.5 per cent. We have kept our rates rises well below inflation over the course of the last five years to support our community through cost of-living pressures during and after COVID-19. We continue to have some of the lowest residential rates in the state, and this budget helps to ensure our long-term financial sustainability amid rising costs. It allows us to remain debt-free while putting your plans into action and maintaining the high level of services you deserve. Right now, we are embarking on a major review of our Strategic Community Plan to make sure we understand your priorities and aspirations. The review will be led by an extensive community engagement process to create meaningful, two-way conversations about what ratepayers and residents want us to focus on over the coming decade. I encourage all of you to get involved in shaping the future of our City.

Growing our urban canopy remains a key focus for our community, so we have committed to planting 8,000 trees in parks and verges in 2025/26 and increasing the duration of our tree watering programs from two years to three years to reduce early losses. Overall, 784,000 trees and shrubs are expected to be planted across the City by 2040, including 56,000 in the 2026 planting season. Our parks and reserves are another key focus, with $3.7 million for community parklands upgrades and $2 million for sports reserve infrastructure across the City. We will undertake a feasibility study and concept designs for the Inglewood Youth Parkland, which will then be used to advocate for grant funding to help us transform the site into a vibrant hub for youth and community activities. At Carine Regional Open Space, we will start work on the upgrades that were designed with community input, including new playground equipment, footpath upgrades, picnic facilities and more. 2025/26, and at the nearby Stirling Leisure – Balga, we will introduce the artificial intelligence aquatic safety technology which has already proven very effective at Stirling Leisure – Inglewood. At Scarborough Beach, we will implement the recommendations of our Crowded Places Assessment to boost safety in one of Perth’s most popular entertainment and tourism precincts. We will complete our upgrade of Mirrabooka Town Square in

Mayor’s message Our annual budget strikes a balance between responding to local priorities and delivering the longer-term vision and objectives in our Sustainable Stirling 2022-2032 Strategic Community Plan, our key strategic document developed in close collaboration with the community. Our budget is the economic tool that allocates resources for the delivery of the services, projects and programs outlined in the City’s Corporate Business Plan. We have completed a range of bold and innovative capital projects in recent years, some of which have won national awards. The redevelopment of Stirling Leisure – Hamersley Public Golf Course is a shining example of what can be achieved when a local government thinks big. This year’s budget features fewer major projects and an emphasis on asset renewal and financial sustainability.

Mark Irwin | City of Stirling Mayor

Gross Rental Value Annual rates are calculated on the Gross Rental Value (GRV) and applied to all rateable properties in Western Australia. The City sets different rates in the dollar depending on whether the property is residential, commercial, industrial or vacant.

Property owners have the right to appeal their assessed property value with the Office of the Valuer-General within 60 days of the issue of the rates notice. More information can be found on Landgate’s website or by contacting Landgate’s Customer Service Team (08) 9273 7373. The residential rates set for 2025/26 will result in an average increase of 4.5 per cent, and the general minimum rate has also increased by 4.5 per cent.

Factors such as location, age and type of property influence the GRV. The Council sets a rate in the dollar figure to calculate your annual rates as a percentage of the assessed value of your property, i.e. GRV x rate in the dollar.

The GRV is independently assessed by the Office of the Valuer-General (Landgate). It reflects the annual rent you could expect to receive if you were renting out your property, including allowances for outgoings such as rates and other property expenses.

How your council rates are calculated

Step one Establishing the City’s operating cost

Cost Total cost of the City

Minus Revenue from sources other than rates

To get Rates revenue required for 2025/26

Step two Establishing the rate in the dollar

Divide Rates revenue required for 2025/26

By GRV of all rateable properties across the City of Stirling

To get Rate in the dollar set by Council for 2025/26

Step three Establishing what rates you pay

Multiply Rate in the dollar associated to your property for 2025/26

By GRV for your property

To get Your rates for 2025/26

The table below shows differential and minimum rates for 2025/26. Rate in the dollar amount Residential

Vacant land A higher rate in the dollar applies to vacant land to encourage development, fostering vibrant communities and supporting the local economy. The 2025/26 budget includes a concession scheme to reduce the impact of the higher rate while owners are developing vacant land. The concession reduces the rate for land classified as vacant for less than three years at that date to the relevant differential rates (residential, commercial, or industrial).

$0.055227

Commercial

$0.059943

Industrial

$0.062408

Vacant

$0.082842

General Minimum Rate

$991.00

Parkland Villas (under 36m2)

$825.00

Strata Titled Storage Units

$644.00

City revenue 2025/26

Fees, Charges & Other Revenue $76.0m

Security Service Charge $6.0m

Rates $174.6m

Interest Earnings $9.2m

Waste Service Charge $49.2m

Grants, Subsidies & Contributions $29.1m

Total $344.1m

Where your rates will be spent 2025/26

$54.6m

$35.5m

$31.3m

Recreation & Leisure

Infrastructure Design & Engineering $52.6m

$27.6m Community Services & Libraries

$52.3m

Facilities, Projects & Assets $26.2m $14.1m Development Services Business Systems & Support

$13.5m

$10.3m Administration, Governance & Council Support

Community Safety

$9.9m

$8.1m $5.4m*

Customer Service

Planning & City Future

$2.7m**

Parks & Sustainability

Waste & Fleet

Total $344.1m

*Movements in Reserves and Opening Balance ** Property and Commercial Services

How to pay your rates Rates smoothing (direct debit)

Go green, go paperless Paperless billing is a more convenient way to receive your bills direct to your inbox. Reduce the clutter by saving on paperwork and help keep our City liveable and sustainable.

Take the hassle out of remembering to pay your rates. With one simple step you can start making payments with the City’s direct debit. Direct debit is the smarter, more convenient, and easier way to manage your rates bill by giving you flexibility to make weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments. By making the switch to direct debit you won’t have to remember to pay your rates before the due date and will stay on track by never missing a payment. Payments can be made from 29 August 2025 to 12 June 2026 with no additional fees incurred when you elect to pay by rates smoothing which will continue to run each year unless cancelled, saving you time on resetting manual payments each financial year. A breakdown of the rates smoothing payment options are displayed on the front of your rates notice. The City also offers direct debit for elected instalment payments in full, two or four instalments. Instalment fees for this option may apply.

Set and forget with direct debit Make the switch to direct debit (rates smoothing) with 0 per cent interest.

Rates payments by Centrepay

Use Centrepay to make regular deductions from your Centrelink Payment. Centrepay is a voluntary and easy payment option available to Centrelink customers. The City can set up your deductions for you and you can start, change or stop using Centrepay whenever you like.

To sign up for direct debit, complete the online application form on the City’s website by Friday 15 August 2025.

For more information on the City’s other payment options or signing up for direct debit, please visit www.stirling.wa.gov.au/PayYourRates or contact our Rates Team on (08) 9205 8555.

Waste and recycling Contributed to by the Waste Service charge The Waste Service charge on your rates notice covers a variety of City waste services including: • A three bin residential service, comprising a red lid general waste bin, yellow lid recycling bin and lime green lid garden organics bin

On-demand waste collection

As well as tip passes, residents can have their unwanted items ‘un delivered’ with our free, on-demand waste collections, and book up to three months in advance, all year round. Skip bin hire: one 3m3 skip bin. E-waste: up to six electronic waste items. Mattresses: up to six mattresses or bed bases. White goods: up to four items.

Recycling Centre Balcatta The Recycling Centre Balcatta is also open to residents to drop-off hazardous waste items, recyclables, reusable household items, and find a bargain at the Balcatta Recycling Shop.

• Bulk green waste verge collections

• Public litter bins at parks, reserves, beaches and other public places

Terms and conditions apply. Book your on-demand collection at www.stirling.wa.gov.au/ondemand

See full details at www.stirling.wa.gov.au/rcb

• Monitoring and investigation of illegally dumped waste.

Drop-in sessions The City is hosting Rates drop-in sessions at Stirling Libraries for ratepayers. These sessions are designed to assist you with: • Setting up direct debit • Creating or accessing your rates portal login • Setting up Centrepay • Making a rates payment • Answering any questions about your rates notice.

State Government Rebate

Rates concessions are available to individuals who have an eligible pension or seniors card. If you are not registered at the City as an eligible pensioner or senior and feel that you may be eligible, please contact the Water Corporation or the City’s rates team as soon as possible.

Tuesday 5 August 2025 11.00am – 1.00pm

Stirling Libraries – Osborne Thursday 7 August 2025 11.00am – 1.00pm Stirling Libraries – Karrinyup Monday 11 August 2025 11.00am – 1.00pm Stirling Libraries – Scarborough

Concessions apply to the rates and Emergency Services Levy. All other charges such as waste, community safety and pool charges are exempt from a concession. Win a $500 Karrinyup Shopping Centre voucher!

The City is committed to making the rates process smoother and more efficient for our community. Check out the City’s online rates portal, packed with features to make managing your rates a breeze!

The City’s rates portal offers a host of self-service benefits, including:

Sign up today or log in to your existing account before 30 June 2026, and you could win a $500 Karrinyup Shopping Centre voucher. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!

• Electronic notices • Direct debit setup

$500 Voucher!

Visit www.stirling.wa.gov.au/PayYourRates for more details, competition terms and conditions, and to log in or register.

• Transaction applications • Easy online payments • Lodge and track online applications.

Waste avoidance rebates The City offers rebates for residents to make the switch away from some disposable everyday products to more sustainable, reusable products. Cloth Nappy Rebate: 50 per cent rebate up to $100 on the purchase, hire or repair of modern cloth nappies. Reusable Sanitary Product Rebate: 50 per cent rebate up to $50 on the purchase of reusable sanitary products, including menstrual, incontinence and maternity products.

Tip passes Property owners receive tip passes attached to their annual rates notice to dispose of green waste, clean sand, bricks, roof tiles and concrete, household mixed waste, fridges and mattresses. These non-transferable passes are for residential use at the Recycling Centre Balcatta. Fees apply after all tip passes have been used. Please have your tip passes ready to present at the weighbridge.

To learn more about using your tip passes, and to sign up to the City’s Online Services and access digital copies of your tip passes, visit www.cityofstirling.social/tippass

Valid 2025-26. Expires 31 July 2026. Present voucher (original only) at Weighbridge Clean green waste pass

1

2

3

If your property is leased, please consider passing this newsletter and tip passes on to your tenant.

4

Clean sand, bricks, roof tiles & concrete pass

Terms and conditions apply. See full details at www.stirling.wa.gov.au/wasteinitiatives

Valid 2025-26. Expires 31 July 2026. Present voucher (original only) at Weighbridge

1

2

3

4

Household mixed waste pass

Valid 2025-26. Expires 31 July 2026. Present voucher (original only) at Weighbridge

1

2

3

Get ready to cast your vote!

Community Safety Services The City of Stirling is committed to creating a safer, more connected community through its Community Safety Services. Funded by the Community Safety Service Charge, this initiative supports a range of proactive programs designed to prevent crime, reduce anti-social behaviour and enhance public wellbeing. Our services include visible and responsive community patrols, advanced mobile and CCTV technology, and targeted safety initiatives. These efforts are made possible through the revenue generated by the service charge, which is reinvested directly into maintaining and expanding these vital programs. Any surplus funds at the end of the financial year are allocated to a dedicated reserve to ensure the sustainability of these services in the future. Through strong partnerships with residents, government agencies, and key stakeholders, we deliver initiatives such as the Safer Suburbs Rebate, helping residents secure their homes, and the Holiday Watch service, offering peace of mind Local government elections are held every two years, with the next to be held on Saturday 18 October 2025. To check if you are on the State and Commonwealth Electoral Rolls, visit: Western Australian Electoral Commission www.elections.wa.gov.au/oes#/oec Australian Electoral Commission check.aec.gov.au

If you own or occupy residential or commercial property in the City of Stirling but are enrolled to vote in another local government area, you can apply to be included in the Owners and Occupiers Roll. If you own or occupy multiple residential or commercial properties in the City of Stirling, you may be eligible to apply for the Owners and Occupiers Roll.

To check your eligibility and to apply to enrol, visit www.stirling.wa.gov.au/enroltovote

Holiday Watch If you’re planning time away from home, the City’s Holiday Watch service offers added peace of mind. This free service provides external patrols of your property by Community Safety Officers for up to eight weeks while you’re away. Designed to deter suspicious activity and support community safety, Holiday Watch is available to City of Stirling residents whose homes will remain unoccupied during their absence. Patrols will cease on your nominated return date, but if your plans change unexpectedly, simply contact our Community Safety team on 1300 365 356 to update your details.

Crime prevention The City of Stirling is dedicated to building a safer community through strong partnerships with WA Police Force, residents, local organisations, and key stakeholders. Crime prevention is a shared responsibility, and every individual can play a part by staying informed and reporting concerns. Our community safety initiatives empower residents to engage with local programs, understand who to contact in various situations, and contribute to a secure environment for all. The Stirling Community Patrol operates 24/7, 365 days a year, providing regular patrols, responding to disturbances, monitoring crime hotspots, and reporting vandalism. In an emergency contact 000 or 131 444 for police assistance.

while residents are away. Together, we’re building a secure, resilient and thriving city for everyone.

Your rates notice Feeling puzzled by your rates notice? Want to understand what each charge actually means? We’re here to help!

Simply visit www.stirling.wa.gov.au/PayYourRates or scan the QR code to watch a fun and informative video explainer about your rates notice.

We’ve also included some extra information about the charges on your rates notice and what they mean to you as a City ratepayer. Don’t forget – at the bottom of your rates notice, you’ll find your free swim and tip passes – keep these somewhere safe! Your swim passes are valid for a family swim (two adults and two children) or four individual swims at any of our fantastic aquatic facilities: Stirling Leisure – Balga, Inglewood, and Scarborough Beach. Remember, those swim passes are your ticket to splash-tastic fun! So, grab your goggles and dive into some refreshing family time or a solo swim.

Safer Exchange Sites In May the City of Stirling launched a 12-month trial of a Safer Exchange Site at 679 Beaufort Street, Mount Lawley. This well-lit, CCTV-monitored public space is designed to support safer in-person exchanges for online purchases, sales, or trades. With convenient public parking and easy access to public transport, the site offers a secure alternative for community members meeting to complete transactions.

Emergency Services Levy (ESL) Local government collects ESL on behalf of the State Government Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) by including the levy on local government rate notices. The levy is to fund Western Australia’s fire and emergency services, including all career fire stations, volunteer fire brigades, State Emergency Service (SES) units and multi-purpose volunteer emergency units. The ESL is not set or controlled by the City of Stirling. To learn more about how your ESL is calculated, including information on ESL rates, limits and concessions visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au/esl

Supported by the WA Police Force and the City’s Crime Prevention Advisory Group, this initiative encourages safer, community-friendly exchange practices. While the site enhances safety, users are reminded to remain vigilant and are responsible for their own safety and belongings. Community feedback is welcomed throughout the trial to help shape the future of this initiative. Pool and spa inspections The State Government has introduced mandatory requirements for pool and spa inspections to be carried out by local governments. Initial inspections: New swimming pool or spa barriers must be inspected within 30 days of completion Reinspection: Non-compliant barriers must be reinspected within a maximum of 60 days of the previous inspection Regular inspections: Safety barriers must be inspected at least once every four years. The inspection fee is incorporated in your annual rates notice. Pool and spa inspections might not be the highlight of summer but they save lives. Drowning is the leading cause of preventable death in Aussie kids under five. Stay on top of inspections and help keep little ones safe.

Pet registration Do you have a furry friend at home? All dogs and cats in the City

of Stirling must be registered in accordance with state legislation.

Dogs must be microchipped and registered from three months of age, while cats must be microchipped, sterilised and registered from six months of age. Registration helps reunite lost pets with their owners and supports responsible pet ownership across our community.

Have you been asked to book a pool inspection? Book now to organise your pool inspection time at www.stirling.wa.gov.au/poolinspections

To learn more or register your pet, visit www.stirling.wa.gov.au/petregistration

Mayor and Councillors

Carine

Hamersley

Balga

Watermans Bay

Balga Ward

Mayor

Hamersley Ward

Mirrabooka

North Beach

Balcatta

Mayor – Mark Irwin Telephone (08) 9205 8502 Email mark.irwin@stirling.wa.gov.au

Karrinyup

Westminster

Trigg

Gwelup

Stirling

Nollamara

Dianella

Doubleview

Coastal Ward

Osborne Ward

Lawley Ward Deputy Mayor Councillor – Suzanne Migdale Mobile 0417 137 362 Email suzanne.migdale@stirling.wa.gov.au

Inglewood Ward

Innaloo

Yokine

Doubleview Ward

Scarborough

Tuart Hill

Lawley Ward

Osborne Park

Joondanna

Woodlands

Inglewood

Coolbinia

Wembley Downs

Glendalough

Churchlands

Menora

Councillor – Joe Ferrante Mobile 0418 891 274 Email joe.ferrante@stirling.wa.gov.au

Herdsman

Mount Lawley

Wembley

Balga Ward

Hamersley Ward

Councillor – Andrea Creado Mobile 0413 495 314 Email andrea.creado@stirling.wa.gov.au

Councillor – Chris Hatton Mobile 0439 752 279 Email chris.hatton@stirling.wa.gov.au

Councillor – Michael Dudek Mobile 0435 553 907 Email michael.dudek@stirling.wa.gov.au

Councillor – Karlo Perkov Mobile 0447 904 714 Email karlo.perkov@stirling.wa.gov.au

Coastal Ward

Inglewood Ward

Councillor – Rob Paparde Mobile 0405 149 149 Email rob.paparde@stirling.wa.gov.au

Councillor – Damien Giudici Mobile 0430 436 094 Email damien.giudici@stirling.wa.gov.au

Councillor – Tony Krsticevic Mobile 0419 220 062 Email tony.krsticevic@stirling.wa.gov.au

Councillor – David Lagan Mobile 0408 068 597 Email david.lagan@stirling.wa.gov.au

Doubleview Ward

Osborne Ward

Councillor – Elizabeth Re Mobile 0419 913 988 Email elizabeth.re@stirling.wa.gov.au

Councillor – Lisa Thornton Mobile 0490 237 604 Email lisa.thornton@stirling.wa.gov.au

Councillor – Stephanie Proud JP Mobile 0411 070 793 Email stephanie.proud@stirling.wa.gov.au

Councillor – Teresa Olow Mobile 0402 232 210 Email teresa.olow@stirling.wa.gov.au

Administration Centre 25 Cedric Street Stirling WA 6021

This information is available in alternative formats on request. Please contact the Customer Contact Centre on (08) 9205 8555. Telephone (08) 9205 8555 | Enquiries www.stirling.wa.gov.au/enquiries | Web www.stirling.wa.gov.au | /citystirlingwa

This publication costs 13 cents per copy to produce and has been printed using an environmentally friendly paper manufactured under the strict ISO 14001 Environmental Management System.