The City of Cockburn’s planned 2025–26 surplus was reported to have fallen from $446,804 to a proposed revised estimate of $344,312 after unforeseen costs. That is a $102,492 reduction, calculated from the two figures reported by PerthNow—not a deficit, and not a verified final audited result.
What changed in Cockburn’s surplus estimate?
PerthNow reported in November 2025 that council was asked to revise the City’s planned 2025–26 surplus estimate from $446,804 to $344,312. The difference is $102,492, calculated by subtracting the proposed revised estimate from the original reported figure. The revised estimate remained in surplus.
The report described the adjustment as a proposed budget variation. It said budget variations were assessed during the year and adjustments required council approval. The $344,312 figure should therefore be read as a proposed in-year estimate, not as final expenditure or an audited result. PerthNow’s November 2025 report
What were the unforeseen costs?
PerthNow attributed $35,000 to cleaning and maintenance for the new Omeo Park toilet block. It also mentioned recruitment costs, damaged signs and consultants. The report does not establish that those items add up to the full $102,492 reduction, so they should not be treated as a complete breakdown of the adjustment. PerthNow’s report
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How does this compare with the City’s official budget figures?
The City’s 2025–26 annual budget lists a $0.30 million closing budget surplus and a conservative $1.0 million opening surplus estimate pending audit. These are official budget measures, but they are not interchangeable with PerthNow’s reported $446,804 planned estimate and $344,312 proposed revision: the opening estimate, closing budget position and in-year revised estimate describe different points or bases in the budget process.
The City describes its $0.30 million closing budget surplus as “essentially representing a balanced budget with some scope to fund minor unexpected items that may arise during the year.” City of Cockburn, 2025–26 annual budget
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Rates and capital works context
The City’s 2025–26 budget said a 6.0% rates increase would have been needed to achieve an operating surplus and set a $65.37 million capital program. An operating surplus is a different measure from a budget surplus, so those figures do not directly explain the in-year revision reported by PerthNow. City of Cockburn, 2025–26 budget
For the following financial year, the City’s adopted 2026–27 budget update reported a 6.75% average yield increase in rates and a $64.07 million capital works program. These are 2026–27 figures and should not be read as changes to the 2025–26 estimates. City of Cockburn, 2026–27 budget update
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What the figures do—and do not—show
- The November 2025 news report put the proposed revised 2025–26 surplus estimate at $344,312, down $102,492 from the earlier $446,804 figure it reported.
- The proposed figure was still a surplus, but the available official budget documents do not independently confirm that November adjustment.
- The $35,000 Omeo Park toilet block cost was one identified item; the reported material does not provide a full reconciliation of all costs to the reduction.
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