Modest rate rise proposed for Mandurah

RESIDENTS are encouraged to have their say on a proposed 3.4 per cent rate rise for 2015 to 2016 that councillors voted to adopt last night.

The public consultation period on this rate rise begins this week.

People have until July 2 to have their say here on the proposed rates.

Once the public consultation period is closed, comments received will be taken into consideration and included in a report presented to council.

From there, councillors will vote on the rates before they are adopted into the new budget.

Chief executive Mark Newman said the proposed rate increase aims to strike a balance between the City's responsibility to deliver new services and infrastructure to the community, and the ability of ratepayers to fund them.

"Taking affordability factors into consideration, the City and councillors have worked hard to maintain the rates increase for 2015/16 at 3.4percent," Mr Newman said.

"In addition to Mandurah remaining one of the state's fastest-growing cities, we also face some significant environmental management issues, including our Peel-Harvey Estuary shoreline."

Mandurah is WA's largest regional city.

The city's population continues to grow rapidly, with a current population of more than 82,000 and a current five-year average growth rate of 3.9 percent (2010-2014).

This is higher than the current state average, and is placing significant and ongoing demand on the City's services and facilities.

The City manages assets with a value of nearly $1 billion.

In comparison, Rockingham Council recently increased their rates by 7 per cent.

To have your say on the potential rate rise click here.