Mayor’s Message
With the adopted 2026/27 Budget, Council’s focus remains on what matters most to our community - maintaining the services, facilities and public spaces that make Cambridge such a great place to live, work and visit, while carefully responding to the cost pressures affecting households, businesses, and local governments across Perth.
Like many households and businesses, the Town continues to face rising costs. Ongoing international conflict, fluctuating fuel prices, and higher supplier and contractor costs all impact the cost of delivering services and infrastructure projects. As a Council, we have worked hard to strike a balance between being financially responsible and investing in our community’s future.
The overall rate revenue increase for 2026/27 is 5.5%, which remains competitive and reflects the realities of the current economic situation. We also recognise that many households are feeling cost-of-living pressures, and this Budget has been carefully prepared to ensure we continue to deliver the services and amenities that our community relies on.
This year’s Budget also coincides with a Landgate revaluation year, with Gross Rental Values across the Town increasing by an average of 23%. The State Government’s Emergency Services Levy (ESL), which the Town collects on behalf of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, will also increase by around 5% in 2026/27.
Throughout this newsletter, you’ll read about how the Town will continue to provide a wide range of services and programs over the coming year. These include reducing landfill waste through FOGO, the return of the Cambridge Street Festival in March, implementing the Town’s first Reconciliation Action Plan, and maintaining a strong focus on community safety and health initiatives.
The Budget also provides for several important capital works projects, including improvements to the Quarry Amphitheatre, the replacement of heat pumps at Bold Park Aquatic Centre, and the extension of safety netting at the Wembley Golf Course Driving Range.
As always, rates are an investment in Cambridge’s shared future. The 2026/27 Budget ensures the Town is well-positioned to respond to growth, deliver key projects, and continue building a safe, connected, sustainable, and thriving community.
Gary Mack - Mayor
The Town of Cambridge is taking an important step in its reconciliation journey through its first Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan.
The Reflect RAP provides a framework for the Town to strengthen relationships, build respect and identify meaningful opportunities to work more closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It will help the Town listen, learn and take practical action towards reconciliation throughout 2026/27 and beyond.
Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan
On 10 July 2026, the Town announced Reconciliation Australia’s official endorsement of Cambridge’s inaugural Reflect RAP and began putting its commitments into action.
The plan will guide the Town in building relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, increasing cultural awareness and embedding reconciliation into its everyday work and decision-making.
Turning our commitments into action
During 2026/27, the Town will focus on putting the Reflect RAP into practice and building the relationships, knowledge and internal structures needed to support lasting change.
A new RAP Officer has been appointed to help coordinate the implementation of the plan and support the delivery of its commitments across the organisation.
Key initiatives for 2026/27 include:
- Seeking Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, including Traditional Owners, to join the Town’s RAP Working Group;
- Strengthening relationships with Traditional Owners, Elders and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations;
- Reviewing the Town’s cultural protocols, including guidance for Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country;
- Reviewing cultural learning needs and developing a cultural learning strategy for employees and elected members;
- Exploring ways to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment, professional development and retention;
- Investigating opportunities to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned businesses and increase supplier diversity;
- Celebrating National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week; and
- Tracking and reporting progress against the Town’s RAP commitments.
By June 2027, the Town will also begin developing its next RAP, building on the relationships, knowledge and experience established through the Reflect RAP.
Walking together
Reconciliation is an ongoing journey. Through these actions, the Town will continue working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Traditional Owners, Elders and the wider community to build stronger relationships, deepen cultural understanding and create a more inclusive Cambridge.
The Town brings the community together through a vibrant 2026/27 Community Events program that celebrates culture and community across Cambridge.
From commemorative services and family-friendly activities to major seasonal events, there is something for everybody.
Cambridge Street Festival takes centre stage
Following the success of the Town’s 30th anniversary festival in 2025, the much-loved Cambridge Street Festival will return on Saturday, 13 March 2027.
As the headline event of the Town’s 2026/27 Community Events program, the festival will once again transform Cambridge Street in Wembley into a lively celebration of the people, places and businesses that make our community special.
From 3pm to 8pm, residents and visitors can enjoy live entertainment, market stalls, a variety of food and drinks, children’s activities, rides, games and plenty more.
With something for all ages and interests, the free, family-friendly festival will be a wonderful opportunity to catch up with friends and neighbours, support local businesses and experience the best of Cambridge.
For further information, keep an eye on the Town’s Community Events page.
Cambridge Library
Cambridge Library continues to play an important role in the social, cultural and learning life of our community.
In 2026/27, the Library will continue to deliver welcoming events and services for people of all ages. Highlights include the much-loved Teddy Bears’ Picnic, returning to the Quarry Amphitheatre on 8 October, along with school holiday activities, workshops, social groups and special quarterly events.
The Library will also focus on improving how its collection is presented, making physical items easier to browse, enjoy and discover. The new Spydus Library app will give customers a convenient way to search the collection, reserve items, manage their accounts and access library services wherever they are.
The Local History team will continue to expand and digitise the Library’s local history collection, helping preserve Cambridge’s stories for future generations. The Library’s Home Delivery Service will also continue to provide valuable access to library resources for residents who are unable to visit in person.
Volunteering
Volunteers make a valuable contribution to community life in Cambridge.
Each year, local volunteers, clubs, and community groups give their time to support events, activities, sport, arts, culture, and neighbourhood initiatives.
In 2026/27, the Town will continue to recognise this contribution through volunteer recognition initiatives, including the Volunteer Awards and Recognition Function, and encourage residents to nominate those who help make Cambridge a better place.
Know someone making a contribution to the community? Nominate them today!
Senior Services at the Boulevard Centre
Our popular Cambridge Senior Services offers exciting events throughout the year. To find out more or register your interest, contact seniorservices@cambridge.wa.gov.au
Venue Hire
Did you know that we offer a range of community facilities and open spaces for hire to suit your next event, including children’s birthdays, community and corporate activities, and performances?
Book a space that suits your needs
Bold Park Aquatic Centre celebrates 50 years
This year marks an exciting milestone for Bold Park Aquatic Centre, as the facility celebrates its 50th anniversary on 15 October 2026 and we want you to join in with a Lap-A-Thon. Simply complete 50 laps in one session between 12 and 18 October to be in the draw to win a $200 Rebel Gift Card!
2027 brings more excitement, with the annual Celebrate Summer event in January, birthday parties running all summer, and our very popular Aqua classes and Swim School continuing to deliver incredible programs all year round.
2027 will also see a significant infrastructure investment with a heat pump upgrade for the 50-metre pool, ensuring the facility continues to deliver a high-quality aquatic experience for years to come.
Wembley Golf Course
Wembley Golf Course will expand its events calendar in 2026/27, offering more opportunities for residents and visitors to connect, play and enjoy the venue through a range of family-friendly events. The program will feature the return of Perron Institute’s Golden Ball and Hole in One competition to raise funds for Telethon in September 2026, the popular Mini Golf Easter Egg Hunt on 28 March 2027, and new seasonal experiences for Halloween on 31 October 2026, along with a series of Christmas-themed events from 21 to 23 December 2026.
We will also explore alignment with Golf Australia participation programs to create clearer pathways into the game and encourage increased participation among juniors, families, women and new golfers. Updates on this will be shared via the Wembley Golf Course website as programs are developed.
Quarry Amphitheatre
There’s plenty to look forward to at the Quarry Amphitheatre this season, with something for everyone.
Music lovers are spoiled for choice, with a great line-up of tribute shows including The Beatles, Back to the 80s, Motown, and AC/DC, plus a 50th anniversary celebration of Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours. For something a little different, catch the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra, Adam Hall’s Blues & Roots Festival, or one of the beautiful Fever Candlelight Concerts under the stars.
Dance fans can enjoy performances from the Graduate College of Dance, Freestyle Dance
Co., AIRE Flamenco and Bollywood Dance Studio, while WA Ballet returns to the Quarry as part of the Perth Festival season.
As the year winds down, family favourites return once again — the Floreat Lions Christmas Carols, Freeze Frame Opera’s Christmas at the Quarry, and the Town’s much-loved Teddy Bear’s Picnic. And of course, our long-standing New Year’s Eve on the Rocks will be back to ring in 2027 in style.
The Quarry Amphitheatre has something for everyone – check out the Quarry’s “What’s On” page.
The community has been working hard to divert waste from landfill, and our statistics show that this is working.
However, the costs of managing our waste continue to increase, and as a result, you will notice an increase in your waste charges.
This is because of the rising costs of collecting and disposing of waste. To keep our increases to a minimum, the Town has reduced Verge Valet collections from three to two collections per year. This is based on what most people use each year.
Bin breakdown
Last year, together we:
Diverted approximately 8,180 tonnes of waste from landfill through our kerbside and verge-side collection services.
Continued the rollout of the FOGO service to multi-unit developments (MUDs), with project completion expected during the 2026/27 financial year.
Delivered and supported a range of waste education initiatives to help our community reduce waste and recycle correctly.
Collected approximately 463,750 FOGO bins, 336,600 recycling bins, and 390,100 general waste bins through our kerbside collection service—almost 1.2 million household bin collections in total.
Completed approximately 138,000 public place bin collections across the Town.
This year, we will:
Continue providing reliable kerbside and verge-side waste collection services.
Continue offering residents free access to the West Metro Recycling Centre for a range of specialty recyclable items.
Deliver waste education programs, community events, and communications to support waste reduction and correct recycling.
Update the Waste Management Strategy 2026–2030 to guide the Town’s waste and resource recovery priorities over the next five years.
Audit and upgrade public place bins to improve service delivery.
Keep up the great work, Cambridge!
Your commitment to sustainability is making a real difference.
Thanks to the efforts of our community, FOGO contamination remained impressively low at around 4% over the past year, resulting in a FOGO recovery rate of approximately 96%—one of the highest in Western Australia. In addition, the Town achieved an average overall waste recovery rate of around 60%, with the kerbside recycling stream recovering approximately 75% of the material collected.
These are outstanding results, and they are only possible because of your continued efforts to sort your waste correctly.
You can learn more about bins and reducing your waste here.
CCTV Subsidy Partnership Program
The Town is helping eligible residents, community groups, and businesses cover the cost of installing public-facing CCTV.
Subsidies of up to $500 per financial year are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Camera owners are also encouraged to register with Cam-Map WA, which can help police locate useful footage during an investigation.
Apply today.
Pool barriers
Pool and spa barriers play an important role in keeping everyone safe. All pools and spas, including inflatable pools containing more than 300 mm of water, need building approval and a compliant safety barrier.
By law, the Town must inspect each barrier at least once every four years. New pools cannot be filled or used until the barrier has been inspected and approved.
If you remove a pool or spa, please let the Town know so future inspections and charges can be stopped.
During 2025/26, Royal Life Saving Society WA carried out inspections for the Town, with more than 90% of pools meeting safety requirements. The Town’s Compliance Officers follow up any barriers needing attention.
Shark Bite Kits
No one expects a serious incident at the beach, but being prepared matters. That’s why Community Shark Bite Kits will be installed at Town beaches by summer.
The Town will work with Surf Life Saving WA, local surf lifesaving clubs, and the State Government to choose suitable locations and plan maintenance, security, and community awareness.