Northern Beaches Council budget projects almost $600m in capital projects for next financial year
Road resurfacing, rockpools and reserves are main priorities for Northern Beaches Council’s 2026/2027 budget, boosted by last year’s extra rate rise income.
Council adopted its $598 million budget for the 2026/27 financial year at its ordinary meeting on 16 June. The finalisation of the budget followed a public exhibition that saw more than 8,500 online visitors and 135 submissions, with people highlighting priorities such as improved footpaths and cycling infrastructure and upgraded roads and parks.
Council plans to invest $130 million to make improvements to roads, footpaths, parks, beaches and community facilities. Community safety is a key focus, with extended lifeguard operating hours at Dee Why Beach and other locations based on risk.
Mayor Sue Heins said this year’s budget sets a clear path forward. “We have made the tough but necessary decisions to ensure we are investing where it matters most to our community, and ensuring our council remains financially sustainable. This budget drives efficiencies and positions us to continue delivering for our community now and into the future.”
Council increased rates by 25.2%, including a special variation (SV) approved by IPART, in July 2025 to be implemented over two years.
“The 2026/27 Operational Plan delivers essential services and key initiatives across the Northern Beaches, with efficiency savings reinvested to improve value for ratepayers,” said Mayor Heins.
“The Northern Beaches is now in a strong position for the future, with dedicated funding to support the ongoing maintenance and renewal of essential community assets such as reserves, rock pools, footpaths, roads, sports fields, playgrounds and village centres.
Capital project highlights include $37.9 million to improve road assets (including $12.8 million for road resurfacing and repairs), $13.4 million to improve foreshores (including the Avalon and Bilgola Beach Rockpools and South Collaroy foreshore), and $6.9 million for new and improved reserves and parks at Warriewood, Clontarf and Frenchs Forest.
Also included is $4.5 million for town and village centres, including works at Balgowlah and Avalon, $4.3 million for new and improved footpaths and $3.5 million to continue the Collaroy Narrabeen coastal protection works.
The 2026/27 rates notice for a typical residential property will increase by $56 per quarter, of which $13 relates to the Domestic Waste charge, $15 to the rate peg and $28 to the Special Variation program. Support is available for ratepayers experiencing financial hardship and rebates are available for eligible pensioners.
In 2026/27, the SV will fund $15 million for roads, footpaths and stormwater infrastructure, $11 million for community facilities, town centres, rockpools, wharves, playgrounds, and extra grass mowing across 800 sites, and $3 million towards future projects including wharf and town centre improvements and female friendly sports facilities at Cromer 1 and Careel Bay Sportsground. It will also fund $6 million to expand tree maintenance and planting, compliance services, environmental and natural risk reduction programs and disaster management. This includes an additional 15,000 hours of bush regeneration works targeting high priority bushland reserve sites and undertaking works across 13 unmanaged bushland areas.
Council’s Productivity and Improvement Program is targeting at least $5 million in ongoing savings over 3 years and $10 million in one‑off capital savings over five years. In the last 12 months, $2.1 million in ongoing savings have been achieved along with $4.9 million through asset sales. The 2026/27 budget includes an additional $1.2 million in ongoing savings and revenue initiative, and further asset sales are being explored.