Published on Thursday, 31 July 2025 at 9:25:51 AM
At the Special Council Meeting on Wednesday 30 July 2025 the Shire of Ravensthorpe 2025/2026 Budget was adopted.
Council carefully considered and approved a rate increase of 4.95%, which is slightly higher than last year’s 4.50%.
Much like last year, the 2025/26 Budget is transitionary as both the Shire and the region continue to adapt after Ravensthorpe Nickel Operations (RNO) and Rio Tinto Lithium (previously Arcadium Lithium) closed their mines with over 500 jobs lost.
Over the past twelve months the Shire has noticed significant downgrades of revenue from commercial waste fees and childcare services, but the biggest hit was the airport where revenue fell from $2.16m in 2023/2024 to a budget of just $5000 for 2025/2026.
To counter these financial challenges, all services, projects and spending have been reviewed and revised where possible. For example, staff resources at the airport have been reduced by $275,000 and the capital works program was reduced by 18.5% to $4,412,000.
And as previously announced in December 2024 the two childcare centres managed by the Shire of Ravensthorpe have been transferred to Regional Early Education and Development Inc (REED), saving the Shire $1,076,000 in employment costs.
Shire President Tom Major said trimming the budget is always challenging.
“Any financial decision to reduce services was not taken lightly by Council, we carefully considered all options,” he said.
“We ask the community to please be patient as we’re all experiencing this mining downturn together, but we’re trying really hard to plan ahead for the community as well.”
Key projects and works planned for 2025/26
The Budget includes funding for various consultancy works aimed at exploring potential projects and improving key tourism assets.
The consultancy plans for 2025/2026 include:
- Review of boat ramps: Assessing the current state and potential improvements for boat ramps at Hopetoun, Starvation Bay and Mason Bay
- Culham Inlet Management Plan Review: Evaluating and updating the management plan for Culham Inlet
- Wheeled Sports Facility Plan: Investigating the feasibility of a dedicated park complex for wheeled sports in Ravensthorpe and an upgrade to the Hopetoun facility
- Ravensthorpe Botanical Garden Feasibility Study: Exploring the potential for establishing a botanical garden in Ravensthorpe
- Trails Plan: Investigating how existing trails can be enhanced for tourism potential and looking at creation of new trails
The Capital Works Program includes the following key projects for 2025/26:
- Resealing of Southern Ocean Road
- Upgrading concrete footpaths in Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun
- Improvements to Mason Bay Road and Jerdacuttup Road
- Resheeting of West River Road
More info:
Shire of Ravensthorpe 2025/2026 Budget
Back to All News