Footpath levy dropped by Central Coast Council

A widely despised levy imposed on ratepayers as a contribution toward the cost of installing new footpath, kerb and gutter outside their homes has been removed.

Kylie Sutherland on newly built footpath outsider her home last year. She was furious about having to pay half the cost of it. Picture by Mark Scott

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One of Central Coast Council’s most despised and hefty charges has been axed.

The widely hated kerb and gutter and footpath contribution levy was imposed on ratepayers as a contribution toward the cost of installing new footpath, kerb and gutter — often as part of roadwork.

It was charged by both the former Gosford and Wyong Councils and cost affected ratepayers an average of $1500 if kerb and gutter and footpath were built.

The charge applied only when council was directly funding the work — not when government grants were involved.

Central coast Council has decided to drop its controversial kerb and gutter and footpath contribution levy

In an average year the fees would add about $300,000 to council revenue, but the cost of administering the charge, dealing with complaints and other issues cost up to $90,000 a year.

A staff report tabled at this week’s council meeting send ending the charge would make little difference to the length of keb, gutter and footpath laid each year and would be partially offset by the reduced cost of administering the levy.

“The contributions may be perceived as a burden on property owners who have not financially planned to contribute, nor requested the infrastructure and may create financial hardship,” the report said.

Central Coast residents Sabastino Finocchairo, Deb Smith, Jackie Young and Adrienne Collins protested last year about fees charged for new footpath outside their properties. Picture by Mark Scott

The report said the charge could also be unfair because it depended on the funding source of the work.

Dumping of the fee had the full support of councillors, including Councillor Rebecca Gale Collins who described the charge as “ridiculous and unfair”

“I fully support the motion to get rid of the levy- households have enough bills with this charge,” she said.

Councillor Richard Mehrtens said he had been approached by a number of Point Clare residents who were furious about being billed for kerb and guttering they had not asked for but which happened during a road upgrade.

Cr Rebecca Gale Collins

Cr Richard Mehrtens

“footpaths should be the bare minimum of what local councils pay for,” Cr Mehrtens said.

Councillor Kyle MacGregor said the poor state of the region’s footpaths, kerbs and guttering was a significant problem.

“I have residents coming to me saying they’ve been waiting 25-30 years for it — and they still haven’t got it,” he said.

“Much more needs to be done.”