RESIDENTS in Perth city council’s demesne can expect their rates to go up about 6 per cent this year.

PCC says employee costs are up due to council staff winning a 5 per cent enterprise bargaining agreement, and  additional staff being recruited.

Consultants have also gobbled up the cash, the $633,000 allocated this year an increase of 38.4 per cent from the last budget. It’s due to the city needing a public health plan, traffic management study, waste management review and a drainage survey.

The big item on the budget is $27million for the Cathedral Square library and plaza project.