Northern Beaches Council: How it will spend your rate rise money
After A Sydney council controversially voted to whack residents with a 25 per cent rate rise, budget details have revealed what they’ll spend the cash on next year.
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Details on what Northern Beaches Council will spend the extra money it will earn through its decision to slug locals with a 25 per cent rate rise across two years have been revealed.
Council’s coffers will grow by about $35m over the next 24 months due to the “special rate variation” that will hit the average ratepayer with an extra $168 next financial year.
Budget papers show that the council will now have $550m to spend on services and projects in 2025/26.
It says that $16m raised through the increased rate next financial year will fund improvements to roads, footpaths and stormwater infrastructure.
Some of that money, the council says, will also go towards improved facilities, rockpools, playgrounds and grass mowing schedules.
The council will also use the extra cash to expand its tree maintenance and planting program as well as pay for rangers, environmental and natural risk reduction programs and natural disaster management.
In the lead up to the rate hike decision, the council argued it needed the extra income to ensure its long term financial sustainability, tackle an infrastructure and maintenance backlog and maintain current services like libraries and childcare.
It said high inflation and increasing costs meant more rates income was needed.
But its critics said the council already had money in the bank to balance its budget and that it could make cutbacks by reducing non-essential services such as community events, funding the Glen St Theatre, slashing the number of senior managers and selling unused council property.
Details in the budget, which also passed at Tuesday night’s meeting, show that the council will spend close to $29m on roads and footpaths in 2025/26.
More than $14m will go to repairing and managing the stormwater network to help reduce flooding and pollution.
In a statement the council said the budget would allow it to focus on “maintaining and renewing community infrastructure – our rockpools, libraries, sports fields, playgrounds and community centres – supporting the continuation of quality services and delivering long term financial security for the area”.
Mayor Sue Heins said the budget was fiscally responsible and sustainable.
“It will ensure the council can keep the northern beaches in good shape now and in the future,” Ms Heins said.
“Additional funds will be invested to accelerate both the maintenance and construction program for roads and footpaths in 2025/26.
“And with our area one of the highest in the state at risk from natural impacts like flooding and storm damage, our investment in the budget in stormwater infrastructure and emergency management is critical.”
The council also identified an extra $2m in savings, including a reduction in council events.
“This has been a challenging budget process,” Ms Heins said.
“The right decision is never the easy one, but this budget will make sure our council can maintain and deliver the quality of service our community expects.”
BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2025/26:
— $25.6m: road improvement including South Creek Rd Cromer, Brighton St Freshwater, Tooronga Rd Terrey Hills, Griffith St Fairlight, Haigh Ave, Belrose.
— $14.2m: stormwater work including Oxford Falls Rd West flood mitigation and initial stages of the South Collaroy foreshore renewal
— $11.6m: new community facilities including the Warriewood Valley Community Centre and amenities at Freshwater Beach and Boondah Reserve
— $9.5m: towards renewing Stuart Sommerville bridge at Queenscliff; a new pedestrian and cyclist bridge over Manly Lagoon at Queenscliff, and the ‘Newport to The Serpentine’ section of the Coast Walk
— $8.2m: improving sporting facilities including the completion of the Warringah Recreation Centre at North Manly
— $6.5m: improving foreshores at various locations, including the Whale Beach Rockpool
— $4.4m: new and improved playgrounds, reserves and parks
— $3.2m: new and improved footpaths across 23 suburbs
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Originally published as Northern Beaches Council: How it will spend your rate rise money
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