Parramatta Council rates to change after forced amalgamations

Rates for some western Sydney residents are changing to be more “consistent” but there are “grave concerns’’ over the proposals. Find out if you’re a winner or loser.

Parramatta Council ratepayers can have their say on rate changes.

Rates for some Parramatta City residents are changing to be more “consistent” but there are “grave concerns’’ over the proposals.

The plan, called rates harmonisation, means residents and businesses — who pay five streams — will pay close to the same figure but rates will vary based on land values.

At the moment, ratepayers fork out five different rate figures, depending on whether they lived under Holroyd, Hills, Auburn, Hornsby or Parramatta before the State Government’s forced council mergers in 2016.

Under the proposal, former Auburn council residents will be the hardest hit and pay $172 more annually, followed by Hills residents who will pay an extra $22. Former Holroyd residents are the winners and will save $119, while Hornsby and Parramatta ratepayers will pay $46 and $33 less respectively.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer. Picture: Monique Harmer

If you’re a former Hornsby business owner, expect to shell out $781 more each year, followed by $616 and $359 added to Hills and Parramatta’s rates.

But former Holroyd business owners will celebrate by saving $5343 a year and Auburn will keep $2590.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer said the proposal, which is open for public feedback, would create a consistent system.

“Transitioning to a single method of calculating rates will result in changes for some residents and businesses, so it’s important for us to consult with our local community and get their feedback on these proposed changes,’’ he said.

“While we are seeking to make our rates consistent across the board, we have also made an effort to come up with a structure that will have the least impact on our ratepayers.”

However, councillor Andrew Jefferies said there were significant discrepancies that would be detrimental to his constituents in North Rocks, Northmead, Carlingford and Winston Hills — two thirds who previously lived under the Hills local government area.

After former Hornsby ratepayers ($1136), residents previously under the Hills now pay the most average rates ($1021), and would pay $22 extra if the new system gets the green light.

Councillor Andrew Jefferies at Carlingford shops previously under The Hills council. Picture: Mark Scott

But businesses formerly operating in the Hills, who pay the least rates ($2773) will fork out $359 more under the changes.

While the Hills’ residents’ $22 increase could be considered marginal, Cr Jefferies said he was reluctant to support the overhaul and said small businesses, such as those at Carlingford’s Carmen Drive shops, would be hit by rates leaping.

“We’ve got COVID and the economic pressures,’’ he said.

“I would have grave concerns about supporting any increases in rates over and above the peg for businesses and residents in the community.’’

Cr Jefferies was a vocal opponent of the amalgamations when he was the Hills mayor in 2015 and while the “horse had bolted’’ over the controversial mergers, the rates overhaul brought the issue to the fore again.

“This is a different exercise but you do wonder the benefits of it when you see these figures,’’ he said.

The public will have until 9am on Friday December 18 to provide the council with feedback by visiting participate.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/rates.

The council will review and consider submissions before lodging any proposed changes with the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of NSW.

If IPART approves the proposed structure, the new rates will be rolled out from July 1.

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