Pittwater Independent MP Jacqui Scruby has questioned the NSW Government's allocation of Local Government funding for fringe projects at a time when an increasing number of Councils are being forced to seek rate hikes of up to 40 per cent.

“Here on the Northern Beaches, we want public money used effectively - one thing I have noticed is people's frustration about spending on ‘solutions in search of a problem', such as the new traffic-calming measures (at Narrabeen and from Avalon to Palm Beach),” she said.

“Although projects like these are often funded by the NSW Government through grants, people would prefer that money be spent on local priorities such as maintaining our pools, roads and reserves, or building footpaths.”

Ms Scruby wants the Government to implement the 18 recommendations of a recent inquiry into Local Government sustainability to reduce the impact on ratepayers during the ongoing cost of living crisis.

She said special variation (SV) rate increase requests from multiple Sydney Councils highlighted that the issue was not unique to Northern Beaches Council and clearly showed the need for structural reform.

Read the full article here: Pittwater Life February 2025 Issue (page 10)