Ratepayers pegged for 7 per cent increase, holiday homeowners slugged additional 22.81 per cent in Busselton

Ratepayers in the City of Busselton could be hit with a 7 per cent rates increase, with holiday homeowners earmarked to be slugged an additional 22.81 per cent. The price hikes come in the wake of new gross rental and unimproved valuations, which will be effective from July 1. The GRV average increases were 41.88 per cent for residential properties, 11.1 per cent for commercial and 14.87 per cent for industrial properties, while vacant land jumped 38 per cent and miscellaneous properties 34.15 per cent. The city will continue to use a differential rating system, enabling it to apply a different rate to different land owners — such as those who own holiday homes. The city is proposing an 7 per cent average increase on all differential rating categories for the 2025-26 financial year, except for holiday homes which will have a 22.81 per cent average increase. The rise will mean the minimum rates for residential properties will be $1737, the same for commercial and industrial land owners. But holiday homeowners will be forced to pay at least $2177. Some areas will have special rates applied, such as Port Geographe which has a set rate in the dollar of $0.010515 to achieve $291,742 in rates revenue. Those in Provence will be charged $0.009135 to raise $231,819, and those in Vasse will pay a rate of $0.011395 to raise $216,246. In preparation for the adoption of its 2025-26 budget, the city is inviting ratepayers and electors to have their say on the proposed rates increases. In a statement on Facebook, the city said this year was a “revaluation year” with the Office of the Valuer General confirming an increase to be applied to both gross rental values and unimproved values for all properties in the city. “These values have been calculated against a rate in the dollar to arrive at the following proposed average per cent rate increases,” they said. “These increases are in line with the city’s current long-term financial plan and are being proposed to enable the city to balance the draft 2025-26 annual budget, which covers the ongoing provision of facilities and services and the delivery of strategic priorities and projects. “For example, it is proposed that 2 per cent of all rates be put towards future sport and recreational facility provision.” Submissions can be made in writing by 4.30pm on July 9.