Council Approves 2025/26 Budget

The Joondalup Council has approved the City’s 2025-26 Budget at its June meeting, including a rate in the dollar increase of 3.95 per cent, one of the lowest increases of any local government in Western Australia.

The process of preparing the 2025-26 Budget encompassed detailed budget analysis and preparation by the Administration, incorporating feedback from workshops with Elected Members.

It has been guided by a long-term financial planning framework aimed at securing the financial sustainability of the City, which has been reviewed in light of the current economic climate.

In recent years, through prudent financial management, the City has delivered modest rate increases, whilst being able to provide services and facilities that have consistently met the expectations of residents.

This has resulted in a cumulative rate increase of only 4.7 per cent over the past five years compared to the average rate increase of 13.6 per cent against benchmarked local governments.

The City has absorbed additional costs in recent years by finding efficiencies in delivering services, however the increase in revenue has not kept pace with the increase in operating expenditures.

The City will review its 10 Year Strategic Financial Plan to secure its sustainable financial position long-term.

The City strives to deliver on the 2025-26 Budget whilst maintaining alignment to the City’s Strategic Community Plan, Joondalup 2032, to ensure the City is delivering on the vision of “A global City: bold, creative and prosperous”.

Budget highlights include:
•    Hepburn Avenue upgrade – Lilburne Road to Walter Padbury Boulevard ($3.6 million)
•    Moolanda Boulevard pedestrian footbridge ($3.5 million)
•    Hepburn Avenue / Moolanda Boulevard roundabout construction ($1.25 million)
•    Duncraig Adventure Hub ($1.2 million)
•    Prince Regent Park facility upgrade ($1.2 million)
•    Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club redevelopment ($1.2 million)
•    Coastal and Estuarine Mitigation Program ($750,000)
•    Whitfords West Park pump and jump track design and construction ($740,000)
•    City Centre Place Activation ($680,000)
•    Joondalup City Centre lighting replacement ($600,000)
•    Burns Beach coastal node redevelopment ($540,000)
•    Hillarys Cycle Network Expansion ($400,000)
•    Eddystone Avenue upgrade works – Joondalup Drive to Honeybush Drive ($268,000)

Joondalup Mayor Albert Jacob said after the City paid down its remaining debt in the last financial year, it can be very proud of the 2025-26 Budget.

“I commend this Budget as it is one that we can take proudly to our community with something in there for everyone,” Mayor Jacob said.

“The City has one of the lowest rates in the dollar in the state, as well as an ambitious Capital Works Program that we are rolling out throughout our suburbs.

“I believe that the guiding principle for local government budgets must come back to ensuring that what we invest helps to increase the value of our ratepayers’ homes and properties.

“There is always going to be more that we can do, but this is a responsible Budget. It is ambitious in what it seeks to do, but also keeps us very much at the lower end of local government impost on our ratepayers, and in that way it is a well-balanced Budget.”

City of Joondalup ratepayers can sign up to the eRates service to receive their 2025/26 rates notices and instalment reminders by email. Register at joondalup.wa.gov.au.

Residents will be able to download the annual waste guide, greens tipping and shredded green waste (mulch) vouchers directly from the City’s website from 1 July 2025.

NOTE: Funding shown is for 2024/25 only
* Subject to grant and/or external funding.
** Multi-year project.