Geraldton city councillors endorse agenda with 3.9 per cent projected average rate rise

Property values across Geraldton have risen, and now rates may follow, with some ratepayers set to see significant increases tied directly to updated valuations.

Under the City of Greater Geraldton’s draft budget, rates are set to rise by an average of 3.9 per cent in 2025-26 but the impact will vary dramatically depending on the suburb.

New property valuation figures calculated every three years by the Valuer General will be applied to every property from July 1. This will vary widely depending upon location, with residential properties in Wonthella expecting to be valued at 33 per cent less, while Mullewa ratepayers could see their property valuations rise by more than 72 per cent.

To account for this, rates in the dollar have been adjusted.

Residential GRV rates in the dollar will drop from 13.8611 cents to 10.3896 cents, non-residential (commercial and industrial) GRV properties from 13.8611 to 12.9171 cents, and UV properties from 0.4828 to 0.4433 cents.

This year’s review introduces a revised rating model, which separates gross rental value (GRV) properties into residential and non-residential categories.

To calculate annual rates, council multiplies a property’s GRV by the rate in the dollar. For example, a residential property with a GRV of $25,000 would pay $2597.40 per year (25,000 x 0.103896).

Mayor Jerry Clune explained: “The calculations are done on gross rental value, determined by the Valuer General’s office, they’ve come out early enough to allow us to do some calculations on it and then the city decides after months of watching the budget to finally strike on a model that will give us a budget that’s reasonably balanced.

“Values have gone up substantially to what they were three years ago, so the rate in the dollar has to compensate for that.”

Regarding the new valuation assigned to properties, Mr Clune said: “If people aren’t happy with the valuation, then they can always appeal to the Valuer General’s office about it”

Mr Clune said the Greater Geraldton council was “a very lean and mean organisation” and “I can assure you the people here are working very hard and under a fair bit of pressure”.

At last Tuesday’s council meeting, Cr Aaron Horsman spoke against the motion, questioning the need for a rates rise when council finances remain strong.

“Council has about $13 million in the bank,” he said. “I don’t know why we raise rates every year. So, I will be speaking against it at this stage, and probably in the future as well.”

Owners can check their property GRV through the City of Greater Geraldton or on their annual rates notice.

Despite the proposed increase, Geraldton rates revenue remains lower, at a 16.47 per cent rise over the past six years compared to other regional WA centres, with Albany at a 20.7 per cent rise, Bunbury 25.2 per cent and Kalgoorlie 30.9 per cent.

Residential rates also include a domestic rubbish charge and emergency service levy.

The city is accepting public submissions on the proposed rates and minimum payments until 5pm on June 18. Submissions can be sent to the council by email or mail.