City of Busselton Council Council has adopted its 2026/27 Annual Budget, forecasting an operating expenditure of $135 million and capital investment of $63 million, while confirming an average residential rate increase of 6.2%.
Acting Mayor, Kate Cox said this year’s budget enables ongoing delivery and improvement to a wide range of services and facilities.
“There is a strong focus on delivery of key actions from the City’s Council Plan 2024-2034 that will continue to enhance, strengthen and support our growing and diverse community,” said Cr Cox.
“The 2026/27 annual budget not only considers current needs; it also makes provision for future long-term investment in community infrastructure.
Development of enhanced sport and recreational facilities that meet the needs of our growing population remains a clear community priority, so this year there is an increase in the allocation of total rates revenue into the New Sport and Recreation Facilities and Infrastructure Reserve, with $2.7 million or 3% of total rates revenue being put aside for this purpose.
Council’s delivery list includes a number of community-focused projects:
- $6.4 million (carried over from 2025/26) for construction of the Dunsborough Lakes Sporting Pavilion;
- $9.5 million in footpath and cycleway construction, including $2.9 million for a new unsealed trail from Castle Bay to Meelup Beach and $5.9 million for the progression of works on the Wadandi Track (which is all grant funded);
- $4 million (including $1.6 million carried over from 2025/26), to complete the final works on Saltwater Busselton, the City’s state-of-the-art Performing Arts and Convention Centre, enabling it to operate to its full capacity;
- $1.5 million for upgrade works at the City’s Leisure Centres, including replacement of the Pool Liner;
- $500,000 for continuation of planning and design on a squash facility;
- $300,000 towards progression of improved facilities at Dunsborough Districts Country Club;
- $250,000 for lighting upgrades at Barnard Park Oval;
- $520,000 for various renewal and upgrade works to public ablutions, including $400K for the construction of a new toilet at Holgate Reserve;
- $740,000 for various renewal and upgrade works to the City’s Aged Housing assets;
- $20 million to improve City’s road network, including works on Ludlow-Hithergreen Road and Hairpin Road;
- $300,000 for development of a new district-wide traffic study to guide future road network planning;
- $4 million for parks, gardens and public open space reserves, including $330,000 for playground upgrades in various locations;
- $3.1 million for the continuation of various coastal protection works along Geographe Bay.
- $3.2 milllion in various new and upgrade works at the Busselton Margaret River Airport.
Cr Cox said the Council is also investing in other important community priorities detailed within the Council Plan, including funding to undertake a youth needs analysis across Vasse and Yalyalup, development of a Community Safety Action Plan, commencement of a review of the City’s Local Planning Strategy to support responsible future development, and a service review program to ensure continuous improvement and service efficiency. There is also continuation of funding for improving emergency access ways, she said.
“It is important that as a Council we remain agile and respond to changing economic and community circumstances.”
“Having considered both the need to invest in the delivery of services and priorities that provide for our growing population along with community concerns around affordability and cost of living, this budget, underpinned by an average residential rate increase of 6.2% aims to achieves the right balance.
“I would like to thank everyone in the community for their ongoing contribution to the success of the City of Busselton and welcome you all to enjoy the incredible range of facilities, outdoor spaces and services the City provides to enhance the quality of life of all residents,” said Cr Cox.
