City of Canning locks in huge rate rise for 2025-26, promises to improve Cannington and Riverton leisureplex

Canning council has pushed through a Perth-high rates rise that includes the promise of a proper freshen-up for the “decaying” Riverton and Cannington Leisureplex complexes. The 5.95 per cent approved on Tuesday is lower than what the council initially advertised but equates to about $84 more that households will pay in 2025-26. But the top-dollar approach ensures there will be no cut to community services, the council’s outgoing corporate and commercial director Lorraine Driscoll said, as well as big investment in playgrounds and other local facilities, plus money in the bank for future needs. She described her final annual budget for the City of Canning as a balanced budget that delivered improvements in safety, parks and leisure facilities, while also paying its own escalating bills and growing the council’s long-term cash reserves to about $89 million. Mayor Patrick Hall said local ratepayers had demanded the council do more to improve the area as much as they had rallied against a high rates rise, which at one stage was touted at 6.85 per cent. “A number of those people had wanted us to invest far more into compliance but also to invest into community safety,” he said. “I and other councillors frequently receive complaints regarding the standards of some of our facilities, most notably our leisureplexes. Ratepayers and paying users really are demanding more of us as a council. “So whilst they are saying they really don’t support increases in the rates, they really were advocating for more spending. It’s a real balancing act for this city.” The city expects to outlay nearly $52 million in capital expenditure this year. Mr Hall said residents would see and appreciate their rates being spent on tangible, visible improvements that make the area a better place to live. Some of the big ticket expenses include replacing the ageing Greenfield Street bridge that links Ferndale and Cannington, a $4m upgrade for Ferndale Park Sports and Community Centre and more money into CCTV. Deputy mayor Mark Bain said the $3 million to be spent improving the “decaying” leisureplex facilities equated to about half of what the council would receive from the rates rise. “The leisureplexes are starting to show the impact of their age and popularity,” Cr Bain said. “Residents would rightly be concerned if the centres were allowed to deteriorate and have to be closed for lengthy periods as a result of the city postponing works or only implementing short-term solutions.” Councillors conceded the rise was high by comparison but maintain their rates bills remain among the lowest in Perth’s southern suburbs. A snapshot of 10 councils showed only people in Gosnells will pay less on average for their rates this year, with Canning cheaper than Belmont, Armadale and Cockburn. Most councils this year are opting for rises of 3.5 to 4.5 per cent — in line with what is necessary to cover their own rising costs for materials, wages, utility bills and insurance. Crs Hardeep Singh and Michelle Hurn voted against adopting the budget.