Town of Cambridge adopts 2025/26 Annual Budget
Published on 25 June 2025
The Town of Cambridge Council adopted the 2025/26 Annual Budget at the 24 June 2025 Ordinary Council Meeting, incorporating a 3.3% increase in the rate in the dollar.
This budget is responsible, responsive to community needs, and prioritises sound financial management to ensure the Town continues to deliver its current services, projects, and programmes, which our community expects. All of these combine to make Cambridge a great place to live, work, and visit.
The 3.3% increase in the rate in the dollar is anticipated to be similar to the majority of other metropolitan Councils, who are expected to propose rates increases of 3.5% to 4.5%. The Town’s 3.3% increase is also in line with the WALGA Local Government Cost Index and simply reflects what it costs to maintain our current service levels.
The budget includes a $17.2 million capital works programme, which focuses on ensuring our community infrastructure is well-maintained and can continue to serve our community well into the future. High community priority projects, such as the completion of upgrades to the Floreat Surf Life Saving Club, Stage 2 of upgrades to the Lake Monger Recreation Club, and steel rectification works at the Wembley Golf Course driving range, are all prioritised in the capital works programme.
A key focus area for 2025/26 will be to ensure the Town’s planning frameworks are current and reflect our community’s vision for our neighbourhoods. The Town anticipates that the Minister for Planning and Lands, the Hon John Carey MLA will soon approve the Town’s draft Local Planning Scheme 2 for advertising. An extensive community consultation process will be undertaken during the advertising period, and we encourage all residents to participate in the process.
Comments attributed to Mayor Gary Mack:
“This year’s budget reflects the real cost of living pressures that many households in our Town are facing.
We understand that every dollar counts, which is why we have worked to keep our rates increase to 3.3% on the rate in the dollar. This 3.3% is in line with the Local Government Cost Index and simply reflects what it costs the Town to maintain our current service levels – no cuts, no extras, just keeping things going as they are.
“The Town is fortunate to have other revenue streams besides rates, which reduces our reliance on rates to continue to deliver services. Our commercial properties, the Wembley Golf Course and our other fees and charges revenue all work together to allow us to keep rates increases to a modest level”.