Liverpool City Council proposes 6 per cent rate rise, $3m festivals, upgrades
Residents from a southwest Sydney council area have two weeks to respond to proposed rate rises, multimillion-dollar festivals and infrastructure upgrades. Find out all the details.
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Residents living in a southwest Sydney council area will have just over two weeks to respond to plans to hike up rates, spend millions on festivals and upgrade infrastructure.
At Tuesday’s extraordinary meeting, Liverpool City Council moved to increase rates by six per cent under its draft delivery program and operational plan.
Mayor Ned Mannoun said the draft budget would also include an expenditure investment of $531m.
Of that, $284m would be dedicated to covering council’s operational expenses, and $247m allocated for the capital works program which would deliver significant infrastructure maintenance and upgrades.
Meanwhile, council has also proposed to spend about $3.2m on festivals and arts initiatives, including $1.2m for the Experience the World Festival Series.
Councillor Peter Ristevski objected to the draft plans saying ratepayers were already facing “challenging times”.
“(Council is) proposing a rate increase three times the rate of inflation and double the wages growth,” Cr Ristevski said on Tuesday.
“People’s salaries haven’t kept up with what we’re proposing here today.”
“(And) $3 million in festivals – we’re facing challenging times and a cost of living crisis. This last election probably showed that every family and individual in Liverpool is suffering.
“They don’t want to be spending that kind of money on festivals.”
Cr Ristevski said he also believed allocating $12,000 to address mosquito infestations at Chipping Norton was “not enough”.
The rate rise comes after council increased rates by 9.1 per cent in 2024.
This year the proposed 6 per cent hike, set by IPART, comprises a base charge of 3.6 per cent to cover the cost of labour, assets and operation of council.
A further 2.2 per cent “growth factor” is added with the remaining 0.2 per cent to partially reimburse local council election costs.
Deputy Mayor Peter Harle said while no one likes increased rates, it was essential for maintaining a “working” council.
“We do it in order to get our community workable,” Cr Harle said.
“We need to cut the grass, we need to fix the roads, and so on – that money has to come from somewhere.”
Resident will be able to submit feedback on the draft operational plan and budget until June 11.
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