Shire of Wagin advertise rates increase of 3.5 per cent for almost 80 per cent of properties ahead of budget

About 80 per cent of ratepayers in the Shire of Wagin can expect to see a 3.5 per cent increase in their rates in the next financial year, although the shire expects an 6.8 per cent increase in rates revenue.

The Shire of Wagin released its proposed differential rates for the 2026/27 financial year for public comment as part of its annual budget process, with submissions open until July 20.

According to the proposal, the 6.8 per cent increase in rate yield falls to an effective yield increase of 4.7 per cent once three properties recently reclassified from rural to gross rental value assessments are excluded.

The shire expects the proposed rates to generate $3.116 million in revenue next financial year.

Ratepayers who pay the minimum rate would face larger increases than those whose rates are based on their property’s valuation.

The minimum residential rate would rise by 10 per cent to $850, while the minimum rural rate would increase by 13 per cent to $875.

The minimum commercial and industrial rate would increase by 29 per cent to $1000.

For properties not paying the minimum rate — which is almost 80 per cent of them — the shire says the average increase will be about 3.5 per cent.

“In arriving at the proposed rates in the dollar, the council has attempted to balance the need for revenue to fund essential services, facilities and infrastructure to the entire community,” the proposal reads.

“Minimum rated properties will increase by either 10 per cent (GRV non commercial), 13 per cent (UV general) or 29 per cent (GRV commercial/industrial).

“Maintaining an above average increase on GRV and UV General properties will bring the Shire of Wagin more into line with the regional average over time.”

It also proposed creating a new differential rate category for commercial energy generation and storage developments, such as wind farms and battery storage facilities.

While no properties were expected to fall into the category any time soon, the shire hopes to introduce it early to provide advance notice to landowners and developers as renewable energy projects emerged.

Under the proposal, those developments would initially be rated at twice the general unimproved value rate, due to projects such as wind farms having a significantly greater financial impact than traditional farmland.

Public submissions close at 4.30pm on July 20.