Broome Shire flags 5 per cent rates increase, no change to minimum repayment

Ratepayers in the Shire of Broome are being invited to have their say on a proposed 5 per cent rate increase for the 2023/24 financial year, and a pause on the minimum repayment of $1268.

Endorsed at the April ordinary council meeting, the proposed rating model would see a 5 per cent increase across all rating categories except GRV (gross rental value) commercial, which would see rates increase a total of 6.88 per cent.

Minimum payments for all categories will be kept at the same level as FY22/23 levels, $1268 across all categories except UV (unimproved value) mining, which has a minimum payment of $520.

It’s the second ratepayers are feeling the pain of cost-of-living increases in their rates bill, after a 4 per cent rate rise in FY 22/23.

Before that, rate increases had been kept at or below 2 per cent for five years.

Rates revenue is expected to total $26.5 million.

The proposed figures are subject to change as part of council deliberations after submissions are received.

Submission on the proposed rating model can be made by emailing shire@broome.wa.gov.au, with submissions closing at 4pm on May 22.