A local government’s revenue comprises all sources of money that contribute to its operating budget. Local governments in Western Australia generate revenue from rates, fees and charges for services, and grants from the State and Commonwealth governments. In some cases, local governments also receive funding through property-developer contributions and sales of assets and property.
DATA SOURCE: Local government’s Annual Financial Report
Local governments are permitted to set aside money to be used for designated purposes in a future financial year. Reserve accounts may be created for future asset upgrades or replacements, employee costs, specific projects or a number of other initiatives.
DATA SOURCE: Local government Annual Financial Report
Under the Local Government Act 1995, councils must vote to accept an annual budget that sets out the local government’s spending priorities. A local government’s annual budget is informed by its Strategic Community Plan which is developed with the community. Engaging with the community enables a local government to be responsive to community needs and ensures that expenditure and prioritisation of public funds is in line with community expectations. The Local Government (Financial Management) Regulations 1996 specify 11 broad program areas that local governments are to use when reporting expenditure. These program areas are defined below.
DATA SOURCE: Western Australian Local Government Grants Commission
Rates are a tax on property levied by local governments to fund the shortfall between their planned expenditure and all other income they receive, including from local government grants. The Local Government Act 1995 and the Valuation of Land Act 1978 prescribe the methods for assessing the rateable value of property and the types of rates which can be levied. Each local government determines a rate in the dollar which is multiplied by the assigned value of the property. Rate revenue includes general rates, differential rates, specific area rates, minimum rates, interim rates, back rates, ex-gratia rates - less discounts offered. This does not include administration fees, interest on instalments, and interest on arrears or service charges. This graph shows the total growth in local government rate revenue for the local government selected. For more information about your rates contact your local government.
Note: Average rating data is not currently provided due to the dataset being incomplete. To provide this information now would not provide an accurate result.
DATA SOURCE: Calculation from rate revenue published in the local government’s Annual Financial Report
This table provides a comparison of demographic and other information.
DATA SOURCE: Local government Annual Financial Report, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Western Australian Local Government Grants Commission, West Australian Electoral Commission
Councillors, including Mayors and Shire Presidents, receive meeting fees and may receive allowances or have certain council-related expenses reimbursed. The Local Government Act 1995 describes the types of fees, allowances and reimbursable expenses that council members are entitled to claim. The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal sets council member meeting fees and allowances payable. The Local Government (Financial Management) Regulations 1996 requires that local governments report the fees, allowances and reimbursed expenses paid to council members. This table shows the remuneration paid to council as a whole by payment type. This amount does not include interstate and overseas travel paid for by local government or third-parties undertaken on council business.
DATA SOURCE: Local government Annual Financial Report
Western Australian local governments provide a range of waste and recycling services to their residents. Reported below are waste and recycling services that are provided directly to households, which include kerbside bin collections and vergeside collections for bulky items. The total quantity of domestic waste collected by each local government is dependent on factors such as the number and type of dwellings and the socioeconomic characteristics of the local government area.
DATA SOURCE: Data are voluntarily reported by local governments to the annual Census of Western Australian Local Government Waste and Recycling Services. The accuracy of the reported data is not independently verified.
Western Australian local governments provide a range of waste and recycling services to their residents. Reported below are waste and recycling services that are provided directly to households, which include kerbside bin collections and vergeside collections for bulky items. The average quantity of domestic waste collected from each household is dependent on factors such as the number and type of dwellings and the socioeconomic characteristics of the local government area. The average quantity of waste collected by each service type will also depend on the mix of waste and recycling services provided to households. The recovery rates shown in the table view for each service type show the percentage of materials recovered from the total amount of waste collected through the service for the selected year. Recovery rates depend on a range of factors including the degree to which waste is separated at the household (e.g. the number of bins) and the capacity and efficiency of the recycling facilities where recyclable materials are delivered.
DATA SOURCE: Data are voluntarily reported by local governments to the annual Census of Western Australian Local Government Waste and Recycling Services. The accuracy of the reported data is not independently verified. Household numbers were obtained from Western Australia Tomorrow, Population Report No. 8, Household forecasts, Band C.
The Western Australian Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 (waste strategy) includes targets for waste avoidance to reduce the amount of waste generated in Western Australia. Waste Strategy targets are set as a reduction in waste generation per capita from 2014/2015 of 5 and 10 per cent by 2025 and 2030 respectively. Reported below is the amount of waste generated per capita for kerbside bin collections and vergeside collections for bulky and garden wastes. Reductions in waste avoidance depend on sustained behaviour change by all stakeholders. This is supported through education and incentives to increase awareness of waste avoidance and to support waste avoidance behaviours.
DATA SOURCE: Data are voluntarily reported by local governments to the annual Census of Western Australian Local Government Waste and Recycling Services. The accuracy of the reported data is not independently verified. Population numbers were obtained from Western Australia Tomorrow, Population Report No. 8, Persons, Band C.