Inner West Council: Ratepayers have say on ‘value for money’

Known for vibrant multiculturalism, great coffee and man buns, Inner westies reckon it’s the best place to live in the country. But, they have slammed their council’s financial management skills.

It is one of the best places to live in the country, Inner West Council ratepayers say, but their only gripe? Council doesn’t manage its finances well or offer bang for its buck.

More than 1000 residents from across the inner west have had their say about what they hate and love the most about living in Sydney’s “hipster mecca”.

The mega-council has spent the last year attempting to balance the books and harmonise rates almost six years after it was forcibly merged by the state government, and will now hold a vote as to whether it splits up again.

Camperdown Memorial Park, on a good day. The inner west is one of the most starved LGAs in Sydney for green space. Picture: Nicholas Eagar

Council’s recent budget papers forecasted losses of $40 million. Picture: Christian Gilles

Inner West Council deputy mayor Vic Macri recently called into question council’s finances after budget papers revealed growing deficits were forecast for the next nine years, saying that council was heading “down the same path as the embattled Central Coast Council”, which is being run by administrators after a financial meltdown.

According to the survey released to councillors last week, only one in four residents agreed to some extent that the council “manages its finances well”.

Newtown’s iconic King St. Picture: Benedict Brook.

Council meetings in recent times have gone off the rails and in one instance have led to its mayor Darcy Byrne having his pay suspended for three months. Picture: Christian Gilles

Only 24 per cent of the ratepayers agreed that council offered good value for money.

However, more than 90 per cent of residents agreed the inner west was a good place to live but 67 per cent did not believe the area’s housing was affordable.

A council spokeswoman said the survey, which was also run by councils across Sydney, cost ratepayers $84,890.

The normally bustling King St strip has been a ghost town during lockdown. Picture: Benedict Brook.

The budget papers for the combined Inner West Council of Marrickville, Leichhardt and Ashfield revealed it currently had $33.7 million of cash but was forecasting losses topping $40 million.

“Council has delivered a responsible budget with a continued focus on stimulating the local economy, upgrading local infrastructure and greening the Inner West,” the spokeswoman said.

“Council is focusing on long term financial sustainability and has already saved over $18 million every year from more efficient ways of working.”