Northern Beaches Council is asking for community feedback on four proposed options to protect the long-term sustainability of community infrastructure and services.
Like many councils in NSW, Northern Beaches is facing growing financial pressure with a widening gap between rates income and the cost to maintain services like roads, footpaths, sportsfields, playgrounds and pools.
Rates income increases each year by the limit (called the ‘rate peg’) set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), and recently this has been less than half the inflation rate. This means rates income is now $24 million lower each year than it would have been if it had been keeping up with inflation.
Additionally, ageing assets and the heavy cost of natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic, and ongoing cost shifting to Council from other tiers of Government is impacting Council’s long term financial sustainability.
Council has consistently looked for ways to reduce costs and improve productivity like saving $2.5 million over 3 years through 100% renewable energy agreement, savings in insurances and fees and improving the organisational structure to place more positions in community facing services. While these initiatives have supported Council’s financial sustainability to date, they are not of a scale that can ensure its financial security long term.
To meet the needs of our community today and into the future, we are asking the community to consider four options to support community infrastructure for the future.
The first option, reduce service, is the current path, with a rate increase from 1 July 2025 in line with the NSW Government annual rate peg of 3.8%. This option does not achieve financial sustainability or provide additional funding to address the community’s priorities and will mean cuts to services.
Three other options involve Council applying for an increase in rates (called a Special Variation) to generate funding for maintenance, infrastructure improvements, environmental programs and community services.
1. Reduce services
2. Maintain services – fund asset renewal and maintenance gap, environmental and natural risk reduction
3. Improve services – option 2 + deliver larger renewal projects
4. Increase services – option 3 + accelerate infrastructure delivery and increase services
Mayor Sue Heins said this was one of the most important conversations the Council could have with the community.
“Talking with our community about rate increases is challenging, especially when we know the cost of living is hitting hard. We wouldn’t be considering these options if we didn’t think it was critically important to the future of the Northern Beaches.
“The investment needed to maintain, renew, and improve our ageing roads, sportsfields, playgrounds, pools, libraries, and other community infrastructure is escalating. Without additional funding they will deteriorate and services will need to be cut back.
“I encourage everyone to review the 4 options proposed, use the rates calculator to understand the impacts on your individual rates, join an information session, be part of the conversation and have your say.”
Community engagement starts Monday 18 November and closes Sunday 12 January 2025. Council will host a range of consultation pop ups and online information sessions.
Community Pop-ups
22 Nov Warriewood (Rat Park) Markets
23 Nov Forestville Shopping Centre
24 Nov Manly Fresh Produce Markets,
27 Nov Balgowlah Shopping Centre (Stockland)
28 Nov Walter Gors Park, Dee Why
30 Nov Freshwater Village
30 Nov Mona Vale Memorial Hall
5 Dec Forest Way Shopping Centre
6 Dec Avalon Woolworths
15 Dec Berry Reserve Markets
Online information sessions
2 Dec
11 Dec
Following community engagement, a report will be tabled to Council in late January. Submissions for a Special Variation must be lodged with IPART by 3 February 2025.