Ratepayers have been whacked with costly bill jumps in Sydney’s Northern Beaches

Ratepayers in one Sydney council have been slugged with a major hike in rates, while another council has failed in its application to hike rates by almost 90 per cent.

Some Sydney ratepayers have been slugged with a 25 per cent increase in bills, while another council has slammed the system after its application for an almost 90 per cent hike was rejected.

Northern Beaches ratepayers will face a 25 per cent hike in their bill after a decision from the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) — the state’s independent price regulator — on Thursday.

The Northern Beaches and three regional councils were given special rate variations.

However, North Sydney ratepayers have escaped an exorbitant bump after the council’s request for an 87 per cent increase in rates was rejected.

North Sydney Mayor Zoë Baker said “the system is clearly flawed”.

“It is incredibly disappointing that IPART refused both applications without considering even a partial approval of either, particularly the minimum rate application,” she said in a statement.
“Without responsible financial management and provision of adequate funding, the burden shifts to the next generation or the one after that.

“North Sydney Council’s financial position is very well known and has been widely reported in the media over many years. If a council like North Sydney, subject to significant public scrutiny in media across the state, is unable to effect financial repair through applications to IPART, the system is clearly flawed.”

North Sydney council mayor Zoë Baker said “the system is clearly flawed” in a statement. Picture: Supplied

The mayor also said “tough choices and decisions” will be made by the council moving forward, including service cuts, asset sales and other measures.

Additionally, North Sydney Council’s special variation application to increase minimum rates for residents was also rejected.

The request for rate hikes sparked scrutiny from hundreds of locals who protested against the North Sydney Council in February this year.

Resident Jocelyn Guy, who took part in the protests, told the Daily Telegraph the council “wasted so much money”.

“Why aren’t they looking at (ways to raise money) instead of just trying to shove money in their coffers so they can spend it in more incompetent ways,” she said.

Holding placards in defiance, with some in the public gallery yelled “vote them out” while others cries of “liar”, “shame” and “sack them all” rang from the hundreds standing outside the council chambers.

The decision has been a partial win for Northern Beaches Council, as their request for a 39.6 per cent increase in rates over a period of three years was approved to only 25 per cent over two years.

Protesters stood outside North Sydney Council Chambers in defiance of the 87 per cent hike in rate bills. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Council Mayor Heins said the decision recognised the “considerable pressures on Council’s budget”

“The approval gives us the opportunity to achieve what we set out to do – maintain core infrastructure and secure financial stability,” she said.

“This has been a tough conversation to have with our community in this economic climate and we appreciate the feedback and input from our ratepayers.”

The mayor said the rate hikes will “better meet the real cost of maintaining (the) community assets” which has “increased significantly over many years alongside the financial impacts of multiple natural emergencies, cost shifting and other budget pressures”.

Mayor of Northern Beaches Council, Sue Heins, said the rate hikes have been a tough conversations to have with the community. Picture: Supplied

Originally published as Ratepayers have been whacked with costly bill jumps in Sydney’s Northern Beaches