What rates are used for
Find out what Council rates are used for, the services and facilities they help fund, why rates can change from year to year and how the City compares to other metropolitan councils.
How your rates are used
Council rates help fund the local services, facilities and infrastructure that support daily life in the City of Vincent.
Rates are a shared contribution from property owners that allows the City to maintain existing assets, deliver services the community relies on and invest in projects that support a safe, connected and liveable City.
Rates are one of several funding sources used by the City, alongside fees and charges, grants and other income.
Services and facilities funded by rates
Rates contribute to a wide range of services and shared spaces across the City, including:
- Maintaining local roads, footpaths, drainage and street lighting
- Waste and recycling services
- Parks, playgrounds, sporting facilities and open spaces
- Libraries and community centres
- Community safety initiatives, including Safer Vincent and CCTV monitoring
- Child, youth and family services
- Aged and disability support services
- Arts, culture, events and festivals
- Economic development and support for local businesses.
These services are delivered year-round and are designed to meet the changing needs of the community.
Why rates can change
Rates may change from year to year for a combination of property valuation changes and the cost of providing local services.
Changes to your property value
Rates are based on the relative rental value of properties across the City.
Your rates may increase if your property’s assessed rental value rises more than others in your area. This can occur if:
- Improvements are made to your property that increase its rental value
- A previous valuation was incorrect or out of date and has been updated
Broader changes to the property market, such as periods of growth or decline, do not directly affect rates on their own, as rates are based on how properties compare to each other.
For more information, refer to Understanding your rates.
Changes to service and operating costs
Rates may also increase if the City requires additional funding to continue delivering services and maintaining infrastructure.
This can include:
- Increases in wages, materials and operational costs
- Investment in new or upgraded community facilities
- Expansion of services to meet community needs.
Council budgets can also be affected by costs set by other levels of government, such as electricity and water pricing.
How Vincent compares to other councils
The City of Vincent has historically had relatively low residential rates compared to other metropolitan local governments in Western Australia.
In the 2024–25 financial year, when waste collection charges were included, the City of Vincent had:
- The 10th lowest minimum residential rate in the metropolitan area
- The 7th lowest combined rates and waste charge for a property with a Gross Rental Value of $20,800.
This reflects the City’s ongoing focus on balancing service delivery with affordability for residents.
More information
For more detailed information about how rates and other funding sources are used, including key projects and achievements from the past financial year, see the City of Vincent Annual Report.
City of Vincent Annual Report 2024–25 (PDF)