Randwick Council opens community consultation for continuation of environmental levy

A Sydney council is calling on residents to support a push to make an environmental tax – which has funded initiatives such as EV charging and a coastal walkway across the past 20 years – to be made permanent.

Randwick Council’s famous Maroubra Beach. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

A coastal Sydney council is consulting residents with the hope of continuing a 20-year environmental levy which it says would contribute to a raft of projects, including completing a coastal walkway, expand EV charging and improve water quality at its beaches.

Randwick Council is proposing to reinstate its ‘Sustaining Our City Environmental Levy’, which is set to expire next financial year, on a permanent basis.

It shouldn’t come as too much of a shock for residents given the levy started in 2004 and for the average residential ratepayer, the proposed annual levy for the 2023/24 financial year is $101, making it just $1.95 per week.

The current program is funded by a “Special Rate Variation” (SRV) – allowing council’s to increase rates – which is due to expire on June 30 next year.

“The Environmental Levy has been the backbone of many achievements for council over the past 20 years,” Randwick mayor Philipa Veitch said.

Sydney, Australia – December 28th, 2019: People walking to Waverley Cemetery along the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. A cliff top coastal walk featuring stunning views, beaches, cliffs, and rock pools.

“This funding enables council to deliver rebates that are currently saving households $1m annually on energy bills, use 100 per cent solar for council buildings and streetlights and build 12km of [the] Coastal Walkway including the Malabar Headland Western Escarpment Walking Track.

“While the levy has achieved a lot to date, more work is needed to protect our beaches, complete the Coastal Walkway and continue meaningful action to address climate change by switching to renewables, conserving water and increasing our urban tree canopy coverage.”

Ms Veitch acknowledged cost of living pressures on households, however, she said “the cost of not taking action” in addressing waste, protecting the council’s beaches and addressing climate change “will cost us and our children more in the future”.

Once community consultation ends, the results will be reported to a Randwick Council meeting in February “to decide whether to formally lodge an application” with the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal to continue to the SRV.

According to Randwick Council, the tribunal undertakes its own thorough assessment of applications from councils, including “exhibiting the proposal” again in March or April for further consultation. A decision would then be expected in May.

For residents looking to get involved, Randwick Council will be hosting pop-up sessions at the Margaret Martin Library, Randwick from November 14-16 and the Lionel Bowen Library, Maroubra from November 21-23.

More information can also be found on the council’s website.