Published 24 July 2024
A budget that aims to deliver the services the Bunbury community expects while also focusing on
the priorities identified by our residents and ratepayers, has been supported for the 2024-25
financial year.
Bunbury City Council has adopted a 2024-25 Annual Budget headlined by the completion of
multi-million-dollar sports facility redevelopments, road and infrastructure improvements, and
support for arts and culture.
The $93.8 million budget includes $23.9 million in capital works, $67 million in operating
expenditure, and $2.9 million for debt reduction.
As previously endorsed by Council, the budget is based on a seven per cent increase in property
rates.
In acknowledging the current cost of living pressures facing our entire community, it is important
to note that the City is not immune from rising costs and that we are committed to delivering
services and facilities that meet the expectations of our community.
It also follows relatively low property rate increases in previous years in a bid to help support our
community through the COVID-19 pandemic including a zero per cent increase in 2020-21 and
2.5 per cent in 2021-22.
While property rates are a significant portion of funding the City’s budget, we also rely on State
and Federal government grants, reserve funds and loan borrowings with the City expected to
receive $9.8 million in grants for operating and capital projects including $3 million for the Hands
Oval redevelopment.
Like everything the City does, the rate increase and budget preparation are guided by what our
community has told us they want, particularly through the 2023 MARKYT community scorecard.
Providing our community with a plan to deliver the vision, goals and objectives of those
community priorities outlined in our Strategic Community Plan, the Council also endorsed its
Corporate Business, Workforce and Long-Term Financial plans.
The suite of integrated strategic financial planning documents demonstrates the City’s capacity
to deliver services, provide facilities, and manage assets that will sustain Bunbury’s future.
Highlights of the 2024-25 Annual Budget include:
- Completion of the Hands Oval redevelopment ($6.2 million)
- Completion of the Forrest Park Pavilion redevelopment ($2.2 million)
- Netball court refurbishment ($1.6 million)
- Regional roadworks program ($1.3 million)
- Playground equipment replacement ($400,000)
- Beautifying Bunbury streetscapes ($210,000)
- Boulters Heights redevelopment ($675,000)
- Implement Greening Bunbury Plan ($240,000)
- Path and cycleway network expansion ($659,000)
- Replace boardwalks, lookouts and beach access stairs ($277,000)
- Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre support ($618,000)
- Signature events grants ($322,000)
- Stage one of research project into a South West regional art gallery ($225,000)
- Conduct Noongar Arts Program at Bunbury Regional Art Gallery ($124,000)
- Development of Bicentennial Square precinct plan ($150,000)
- Ocean Pool feasibility study and concept design ($62,000)
To view the City of Bunbury 2024-25 Annual Budget please click the button below.