City of Karratha Budget Delivers for Community Priorities
The City of Karratha has adopted its 2025/26 Annual Budget, the first guided by the City’s new Council Plan 2025–2035.
With a strong focus on community priorities, the $169 million budget funds a range of major projects and local initiatives that support liveability, housing, infrastructure, and inclusive community services.
City of Karratha Mayor Daniel Scott said the budget was shaped by direct input from the community and designed to deliver outcomes across the City.
“We’ve listened to what residents told us during the Council Plan engagement process – their needs, aspirations and the things that matter most in their daily lives,” Cr Scott said.
“This budget is about responding to that feedback and continuing to improve how we support our growing, diverse population – while also staying financially responsible in the face of rising costs.”
Key areas of focus in the 2025/26 Budget include:
• Unlocking housing and land supply to support population growth and workforce needs
• Upgrading community and sporting facilities across Karratha, Wickham, Roebourne, Dampier and Point Samson
• Enhancing local services and liveability, including health, accessibility, early years, youth, and arts
• Investing in sustainability and waste infrastructure to support long-term environmental outcomes
• Supporting economic growth and tourism through targeted strategies and land use planning
• Planning for the future with a clear long-term vision, place-based planning and strong advocacy
The City will require $66.6 million in general rates revenue to deliver the 2025/26 Budget, with more than two-thirds (66.5%) of operating income coming from other sources such as grants, fees and charges.
This means the City delivers over $3 of value for every $1 collected in rates.
Importantly, there will be no increase (0%) to residential ratepayer yield in 2025/26, with any changes to individual rates driven solely by updated Gross Rental Value (GRV) revaluations from Landgate.
Cr Scott said the City remained committed to minimising financial pressure on the community.
“We know many households are feeling the impact of rising living costs. That’s why we’re focused on maintaining services and delivering infrastructure without increasing the burden on ratepayers,” he said.
“We proactively seek external funding and investment to help deliver major projects and reduce our reliance on rates.”
“Our long-term investment in assets like The Quarter means we can generate revenue to help fund future projects and give us greater flexibility to absorb rising costs.”
Budget Highlights
1. We respect Aboriginal peoples’ Cultural Authority and connection to Ngurra (Country)
• Reconciliation Action Plan – Commence planning for a RAP that will foster reconciliation and support First Nations partnerships
• Aboriginal Engagement – Establish a process for engagement and relationship building with Aboriginal leaders and the wider Aboriginal community, including leadership meetings between the City’s leaders and leaders within the Aboriginal community
• Collaborate on Yaburara Trail and Karratha Hills Access – Work in partnership with Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation on access to the Yaburara Trail and broader Karratha hills
• Dampier Aboriginal Heritage Assessment – Undertake heritage review to support reconciliation and protection
2. Our community is welcoming, connected, vibrant, healthy, and safe
• Arts and Culture Strategy – Develop an Arts and Culture strategy to support growing and nurturing the Arts in our community.
• Bookings and Events Technological Solution – Deliver improvements to event planning, activation and management tools or strategy – $50,000
Wickham Recreation Precinct – Multipurpose Court Shade – Construct shade over multipurpose courts to improve use in all seasons $8M
• Wickham Recreation Precinct – Oval and Carpark Redevelopment – Complete upgrades to Wickham’s sporting oval, lighting and supporting infrastructure $9M
• Kevin Richards Memorial Oval – Outdoor Courts – Detailed design of the multi-purpose hard courts, inclusive of shade structure – $350,000
• Kevin Richards Memorial Oval – Pavilion Redevelopment & Carpark (Stage 3) – Detailed design for a new pavilion and carpark to support final stage of KRMO upgrade – $450,000
• Roebourne Recreation Precinct – Stage 1 – Design phase, with community, for the Roebourne community recreation infrastructure – $1,000,000
• Wickham South Youth Recreation Area – Provide infrastructure for youth recreation – $750,000
• Karratha Golf Course – Workshop Shed and Amenities – Improve supporting infrastructure and facilities at the golf course – $1,500,000
• Sport Storage Sheds – Deliver additional storage facilities to support community sporting groups – $450,000
• Karratha Leisureplex – Planning for upgrade works including enclosure of the outdoor courts, expansion of indoor court facilities, improvements to the carpark adjacent to the oval, and broader overall site reconfiguration
• Explore New Bike Facilities in Karratha and Wickham – Investigate opportunities to develop new bike facilities in Karratha and Wickham to support active lifestyles and improve local recreation options
• Hampton Oval Event Lighting – Install lighting to support safe night-time use of Hampton Oval
• Point Samson Entry statement and entrance bay upgrade
• Waterpark feasibility - Undertake a feasibility study into a water park for the City of Karratha.
• Place plans – Develop place plans for the Wickham, Roebourne, and Point Samson communities.
• Animal Rehoming Services (SAFE Contract) – Maintain partnership to support responsible pet rehoming – $80,000
• Health Services Review – Complete a review of local health services to identify gaps, improve access and inform advocacy for better service provision across the City
3. Everyone is included
• Child safe-guarding policy – Develop and implement a Child Safeguarding Policy to ensure the City’s programs, services and facilities are safe, inclusive and protective for children and young people
• Advocate for a Lifestyle Village and Aged Care Facilities - Advocate for new housing and care options to support older residents and enable ageing in place
• Accessibility Audit and Improvement Program – Audit all City of Karratha buildings for accessibility and develop a program of work to address identified issues
• Early Years and Youth – Develop an Early Years Strategy and review the Youth Plan to guide the City’s support for children, young people and families
• Wickham Recreation Precinct – Improvement Plan – Identify and prioritise future upgrades to community infrastructure in Wickham – $75,000
• Bulgarra Oval Masterplan – Prepare a long-term masterplan to guide upgrades to Bulgarra Oval – $75,000
• Cemeteries Review & Historical Data Update – Review and digitise cemetery records to improve access and planning – $130,000
• Sponsorship & Grants Portal – Launch a digital portal for managing sponsorship and grant requests – $50,000
4. Our places and spaces are functional, attractive and reflect our unique identity
• Shakespeare Park Concept – Karratha Revitalisation – Develop a concept plan for future upgrades to Shakespeare Park – $50,000
• CBD Public Toilet Design Outcome – Deliver accessible public toilets in the Karratha city centre
• Bus Shelters – Develop a new bus shelter plan to improve access to public transport – $40,000
• Karratha Golf Course – Concept Design for the Karratha Golf Course Driving Range relocation
• Dampier Streetscape Landscaping – Improve landscaping and streetscape presentation across Dampier
• Dampier Drainage Study – Assess and plan for drainage improvements in Dampier – $100,000
• Wickham Boat Beach Ramp & Jetty – Design – Complete design of new marine infrastructure to support recreation.
• Murujuga National Park Access Road – Continue to support the delivery of the Murujuga National Park Access Road for Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation and Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, including project management of detailed design – $150,000
• Karratha – Bathgate Road Upgrade – Detailed design phase for the future upgrades of Bathgate Road and surrounding infrastructure – $100,000
• TWA & Tourism Land Use Planning – Support planning of land for transient workforce and tourism purposes.
• Karratha City Centre Precinct – Develop Karratha City Centre Precinct Structure Plan and Associated Scheme Amendment.
• Point Samson Foreshore – Implement the Point Samson Foreshore Management Plan
• Community Infrastructure – Undertake Strategic Land Supply and Demands Assessment for Community Infrastructure
• Cemetery – Investigate expansion of the Wickham/Roebourne Cemetery, 2 Mile Cemetery Plot & Family Identification
5. We respect and care for the natural environment
• Karratha – 7 Mile Tip Class III Cell Construction – Construct additional landfill cell to maintain waste capacity – $5,800,000
• Karratha Airport Waste Water Treatment Plant Capital Upgrade – Upgrade treatment infrastructure for capacity and compliance – $1,300,000
• Solar Panel Study Outcomes – Implement outcomes from feasibility studies into solar infrastructure upgrades
• Waste Management – Develop and implement a Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy
• Sustainability Strategy – Implementation – Deliver environmental and liveability initiatives to support long-term sustainability – $160,000
• CHRMAP (Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan) – Review risks and develop mitigation strategies for coastal areas – $140,000
6. The local economy is diverse and thriving, with opportunities for all
• Housing Development Projects – Deliver new housing developments to support growth and address workforce shortages
• Mulataga Subdivision – Enable future residential expansion through subdivision and land development – $22,111,000
• Hancock Way Housing – Deliver new residential dwellings through targeted infill or subdivision – $1,840,000
• Housing Action Plan – Facilitate the planning, delivery or enabling of housing projects to address demand and affordability – $100,000
• Service Worker Accommodation Strategy – Continue to facilitate opportunities to support accommodation for key workers in the region
• Economic Development Strategy – Implementation – Implement actions that support local businesses and economic diversification – $420,000
• Tourism Strategy – Implementation – Deliver tourism marketing and infrastructure initiatives to grow visitation – $200,000
• TWA & Tourism Land Use Planning – Support planning of land for transient workforce and tourism purposes
7. Our civic leaders are innovative, listening and balanced in meeting community needs
• Karratha 2050 Strategy – Develop a long-term vision to guide growth, investment and liveability
• Customer at the Centre – Review the City’s customer service activities with a view to improve customer experience and streamline service delivery
• Local Emergency Management Arrangements – Update emergency management frameworks in collaboration with key stakeholders
• 2026 Census Strategy – Prepare for upcoming Census through community education and stakeholder engagement – $50,000
• Advocacy Priorities – Continue to advocate on matters of community importance to State and Federal Government, including housing, infrastructure, healthcare and regional investment
• Karratha Airport – Pursue additional air travel options at Karratha Airport including international services