Sydney council threatens to cut hours at libraries and swimming pools if it can’t lift rates | smh_andrew
A western Sydney council will cut hours at libraries and swimming pools if it is not allowed to lift rates above the maximum amount set by the NSW pricing regulator.
The council said it will also not be able to fund as many upgrades to parks, roads and buildings “and we will need to reduce hours at libraries and aquatic/leisure centres”.announced a rate peg – the maximum annual increase councils can charge ratepayers – of 3.7 per cent next financial year, with councils in fast-growing areas able to increase levies by up to 6.8 per cent.
“The increase simply isn’t enough to meet the real costs of delivering on the services and priorities our community needs and expects,” he said.Woollahra has proposed raising rates by up to 35 per cent over the next three years – although councillor Luise Elsing opposes the rate hike because of cost-of-living pressures on vulnerable residents.
A council spokesman said the rate rise would ensure ongoing funding for current assets and services as well as an expanded biodiversity and climate program, quicker processing times for development applications and repairing roads and footpaths. IPART is reviewing concerns about how it sets rates, but the rate peg has been attacked as “antiquated” by Local Government NSW president Darriea Turley.
“Councils do not want to increase rates,” Turley said. “They simply want to deliver the services and infrastructure that their communities need and expect, while catering for growing populations.”
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