Resident majority asked for 12 per cent rise
Willoughby rates will rise by 15 per cent if the State Government approves council’s decision for a rate hike in the 2024/2025 financial year.
At council’s November meeting, councillors voted by nine to four in favour of a rate rise which would increase bills by about $163 a year for residents.
Around 1,873 people completed a council ‘Have your say’ survey and 419 were contacted via external consultant Micromex, ranking the four proposed rate rise options. The majority of ‘Have your say’ respondents (36 per cent) said they would prefer no additional rise, with just the usual 3.5 per cent increase and no increase in services. Only 18 per cent chose a 15 per cent rise. The majority of those contacted by Micromex (33 per cent) wanted a 12 per cent rate rise, with 26 per cent opting for a 15 per cent rise, and 26 per cent choosing the 3.5 per cent rise.
Councillor Roy McCullagh told NSL that he was the only councillor to oppose the rate rise. “It’s something I think the council could have averted,” Cr McCullagh said. “I don’t feel that it was justified.”
Council said the rise would allow extra funds to enhance parks, cycling routes and boost the tree canopy.
“I’m all for parks and beautiful places,” Cr McCullagh said said. “But I’m actually more for people being able to put petrol in their cars to get to Woollies.”
Councillor Sarkis Mouradian also opposed the 15 per cent rate increase.
“I actually supported a lower increase of 12 per cent,” Cr Mouradian told NSL. “That was based on the cost of living pressures that we’re all currently under.”
Government regulations allow rates to rise by a ‘peg’, this year at 3.5 per cent. Any special rate variation (SRV) above the ‘peg’ must be approved by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). On January 30, councillors will vote on the SRV application, with council’s amended fee plan on exhibition until 14 January.
Mayor Tanya Taylor said in a statement that there was ‘strong overall support’ for a SRV. The council also agreed to make it clear in rate notifications that hardship provisions were available. “While council currently has one of Sydney’s lowest percentages of outstanding rates, we want to make sure people are aware of our hardship policy,” Cr Taylor said.