Cumberland Council to adopt 7.1 per cent rate rise

A former western mayor has slammed councillors for supporting a rate rise proposal but the “financial genius” was reminded by a fellow councillor of the money he “blew” when he helmed the organisation.

Cumberland Council will increase rates by 7.1 per cent.

A former Cumberland mayor has slammed residential rates increasing by 7.1 per cent during the cost-of-living crisis however he faced a huge backlash and was reminded he “blew” $540,000 on PR when he held the top job during the Covid pandemic.

At the council’s monthly meeting this week, Libertarian Steve Christou was the only one who opposed the IPART-recommended rate rise of 7.1 per cent, which equates to $1.50 a week.

He lambasted his councillors for “hiding” behind the recommendation while the area continued to look like a dump with an “abomination of rubbish”.

“People are sick of the local area looking like a ghetto,’’ told the public meeting.

“We’ve got roads that need repairs, we’ve got footpaths in the back of Guildford … that have not been built.

Steve Christou was the sole councillor who objected to the rate rise.

“But here we are in a cost-of-living crisis where people are struggling to pay the mortgage, the rent, the bills and put food on the table to feed their children proposing a 7.1 per cent council rate hike.”

However, other councillors hit back and accused Cr Christou of running a “scare campaign” and failing to “understand finance”.

Cumberland Deputy Mayor Michael Zaiter.

Professional accountant and Deputy Mayor Michael Zaiter joked Cr Christou was a “financial genius’’ and warned improvements and projects which formed the council’s largest capital works program could not be delivered if the rate rise was rejected.

“If we go down the road of what councillor Christou wants to do – which is zero increase – over the 10-year projection we would be in an $80m deficit,’’ he said.

He reminded Cr Christou he voted for rate increases when he was the mayor including in 2020-21 during the pandemic.

“If he cared about the council he sits on, he would worry about the financial position of that council,’’ Cr Zaiter said.

Rate rises will go towards projects including the upgrade of Lidcombe town centre.

Councillor Joseph Rahme criticised Cr Christou, who did support a vote to increase councillor remunerations.

After Cr Rahme asked which year was the biggest expenditure for public relations, advertising and newsletters, deputy general manager Melissa Attia told the meeting it was 2020-21 when Cr Christou was the mayor and $540,000 was spent.

Comparatively, the council is on track to spend $308,000 on the same category this financial year.

“You blew $240,000 up the wall which could have paid for 8800 council clean ups,’’ Cr Rahme said.

“And people have the audacity to come in here and act like they’re Superman.

“I’m not in the game of political grandstanding or going after a particular individual, but I’m sick to death of what’s transpired over the last month with the lies and the fabrication where only part of the story’s told and residents contact me scared.’’

Granville Park is in line for an upgrade.

The council received 11 formal objections from the public about the rate rise proposal.

Resident Mohamed Hassan ran a petition opposing the rates.

“Many residents are feeling frustrated and angry, especially considering the current cost-of-living pressures,’’ he said.

“The general sentiment is that this increase is deeply unfair at a time when council services such as rubbish collection and road maintenance are already under strain.

“It’s particularly troubling that, despite these issues, the council appears to be prioritising increased spending on meetings and other non essential areas.’’

Later in the meeting, Cr Christou’s motion to bolster staff numbers for street and litter cleaning was rejected.

“You raise your council rates by 7.1 per cent and then you refuse a basic report from the general manager outlining how he can help his staff and our local residents by inserting more cleaning staff into the area,’’ he said, adding it was “hurting residents”.

Those who opposed it said it had already been taken into account when the council budget was formulated.

Originally published as Cumberland Council to adopt 7.1 per cent rate rise