Rate Freeze - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Question: Can a Mayor actually freeze rates?
Answer: Yes, but not alone.
The Mayor can advocate, lead, and build support, but the Council must vote on the budget each year. That is why it is critical that voters also elect Councillors who support 0% rate increases.
I am ready to lead that push, but I will need a team of like-minded Councillors who are committed to financial responsibility.
Question: Won’t freezing rates mean cutting services?
Answer: That is a scare tactic.
Freezing rates does not mean slashing essential services. It means managing our $150M+ budget more efficiently.
As someone with over 20 years of business leadership experience, I know how to:
- Eliminate waste
- Prioritise spending
- Streamline processes
- Secure external funding from grants and governments
With less than a 4% adjustment, we can fund our city responsibly without raising rates.
Question: Is a 0% rate increase realistic?
Answer: Absolutely, if we have the will.
The difference is political will and financial discipline.
I have consistently voted against rate increases every year since 2019, while others gave excuses. I don’t just talk – I act.
Question: What about inflation and rising costs?
Answer: Yes, inflation affects everyone but that’s exactly why we shouldn’t burden ratepayers further.
Families, seniors, and small businesses are already struggling. The Council should do what every household is doing: tighten the belt, cut non-essentials, and focus on core priorities. Let’s manage smarter, not just charge more.
Question: Isn’t a “minimum increase” better than nothing?
Answer: No, “minimum” is a misleading word.
It still means taking more from your pocket year after year. Once rates go up, they rarely come back down.
That is why I am firmly committed to a true 0% increase – not smoke and mirrors.
Question: How will you fund projects without raising rates?
Answer: Through external funding and better planning.
As Mayor, I will:
- Proactively pursue State and Federal grants
- Partner with regional development programs
- Attract infrastructure and tourism investment
- Reallocate internal resources toward higher priorities
I have already shown I can deliver results:
- Successfully lobbied and make the Lakelands Train Station reality which was neglected for around 20 years
- Successfully lobbied and secured 14 new police officers for Mandurah Police Station
Imagine what we can do with a full mayoral term and the right Council.
Question: Won’t rates go sky-high after your 4-year rate freeze?
Answer: No, that is just a scare campaign. A well-managed Council doesn’t need to “catch up“ with sudden hikes. My plan is to prove that rates can be frozen without harming services, and once that is done, the excuse for yearly rises will be gone forever.
If I can freeze rates for 4 years, no one will raise them in the future. Because I will show how Council can deliver services and manage the budget without touching residents’ pockets.
Question: What can I do to support the Rate Freeze?
Answer: Three things:.
- Vote 1 for me (Ahmed Zilani) as your next Mayor
- Vote only for Councillors who commit to 0% rate increases every year
- Spread the word - tell friends, neighbours, and family that we don’t have to accept more of the same
Mandurah deserves smarter leadership, not higher bills.
Let’s freeze rates and move forward responsibly.