Rate rise to include focus on assets

​Bunbury City Council intends to increase its total rate yield by 4.5 per cent for 2017/18, which includes a one per cent levy that will be used for the upgrade and renewal of assets such as roads, stormwater infrastructure and the city’s path network.

The 4.5 per cent increase is the same as 2016/17 and will help the City meet the increase in costs while also taking into account future growth and management of the City’s assets.

Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan said it was important that ratepayers understood the 4.5 per cent increase was an average across the City and individual properties could experience a change either above or below this figure.

This is due to the revaluation of all property Gross Rental Values (GRV), which is carried out by the Value-General every three years.

A rate increase would be adopted as part of the City’s 2017/18 Budget, which will be presented to Bunbury City Council next month.