Independent Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby is concerned about the Northern Beaches Council (NBC) proposed rates rises, especially in a cost-of-living crisis.
She is calling on the NSW Government to implement the majority of the 17 recommendations of a recent NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the ability of local government to fund infrastructure and services. These recommendations include reversing state and federal government measures which shift costs to councils, reviewing rate exemptions and doubling of federal government funding.
“As a state MP, my focus is on how I can keep rates down from a state perspective. I will be strongly advocating for the NSW Government to act on the recommendations, so ratepayers are not left with rapidly rising rates.
“I will be raising the issue in Parliament when it resumes, and I have already requested the government directs the Audit Office of NSW to undertake an independent performance audit for NBC and regulate senior bureaucrat salaries.”
Ms Scruby highlights that requesting a special rate variation (SRV) is not unique to Northern Beaches Council and clearly shows local governments are in crisis and need structural reform.
“Northern Beaches Council is not alone. Across NSW, over the last two years, 25+ Councils have applied or are applying to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for special variation rate rises. Councils are facing similarly increasing costs. These costs include general inflation, above CPI increases to construction and insurance costs, the financial impact of extreme weather (the cost of climate change) and cost-shifting to councils from the NSW Government, including the Emergency Services Levy.
“The issue is so ubiquitous across the state that it has already prompted parliamentary inquiries at both a state and federal level.
“Here on the Northern Beaches, we want public money used effectively and we want a demonstration of austerity measures. We don’t want waste, such as shoddy workmanship in the Avalon Shared Space. Additionally, people are frustrated about spending on ‘solutions in search of a problem’, such as new traffic calming measures or shared space plans. Although projects like these are often funded by the NSW state government through grants and not by council rates, people would prefer money is spent on local priorities such as maintaining our pools, roads and reserves, or building footpaths. It’s my job to push to allow councils to use that money where it’s needed most.
“Ratepayers are already feeling under pressure, and I will be working hard at state level to advocate for practical solutions for this community.”