Mandurah residents likely to face 2.5 per cent rate increase

Councillors will be required to approve the proposed average rates on July 2 so that public submissions can be received during a compulsory 21-day community feedback period.

The community will be encouraged to have their say on the city's proposed rates after they are approved by making a submission in writing, over the phone or online.

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

Council will then vote on the final rate increase and the annual budget adoption at a council meeting on July 30.

The upcoming financial year's rates are broken down into a 1.5 per cent increase to cover costs and inflation and a 1 per cent increase to fund future economic development plans.

The last financial year saw a 2 per cent increase in rates, after council approved the 2018/19 budget unanimously. Similarly in 2017/18, there was a 1.9 per cent increase in rates.

Mandurah mayor Rhys Williams said the City's primary focus was to ensure the "economic wellbeing" of the local community.

"There is no doubt that parts of our community are facing challenges - unemployment and underemployment is an ongoing issue and people generally have less money to spend in our local business, putting pressure on our retail sector," he said.

"Sadly, Mandurah isn't immune to the cyclical down-turn in our national economy.

"Community, government and business need to keep working together to increase confidence in the long-run, while also supporting our businesses and our community with practical interventions now."

Mr Williams said the city was on track for a vibrant future with a short-term and long-term focus on investment and promoting Mandurah.

"The city has a long history of aspirational economic development, achieving some great results over the last couple of years and we need to continue building on these investments," he said.

"Our strategy includes creating a vibrant city centre with places to meet, play and rest, increase tourism and boost local jobs."

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Mr Williams said the rate increase would help to fund a number of future economic development plans, including the city centre waterfront precinct, Nambeelup industrial area and Murray Airfield.

"The city has recently created an economic development alliance with our neighbours at the Shire of Murray to deliver a series of transformational projects that seek to address our long term unemployment challenges, which include attracting water-science and agri-business industries to the area," he said.

"These projects will take time to come to fruition, but will, in time, re-position us as a significant contributor to the WA economy.

"Our community's contribution is vital in helping us to deliver all this, to ensure our community is buffered from difficult economic times in the short term and prospers into the future."

City of Mandurah chief executive Mark Newman said Mandurah was in a "vital growth stage" and the rate increase was necessary to enable the city to continue to provide and improve a range of services.

"This year's budget and rates have been impacted by property revaluation, which is conducted every three years in Mandurah by the West Australian valuer-general," he said.

"Revaluation impacts the rate amount by increasing or decreasing the Gross Rental Value, which can vary considerably.

"The challenge is, as always, to balance those things, that we have no control over, with the requirements of our growing and evolving city.

"We pride ourselves on maintaining a financially responsible and aspirational city, and our approach to the budget and its impact on the community aims to reflect that."

Rates notices will be issued in August.

For more information about City of Mandurah rates, visit the website.

For more information about the valuer-general's gross rental value, visit the Landgate website.