The Northern Beaches will benefit from services and projects totalling $524 million, including an injection of $99 million in infrastructure spending, outlined in the 2024/25 Northen Beaches Council budget. 

The budget has a focus on resilience and environmental sustainability, prioritising projects and services that support and strengthen our community and environment.

The proposed $99 million capital works program includes $43 million in asset renewal to improve the overall condition of our assets and to reduce ongoing operational costs associated with asset repair and maintenance. A further $56 million will deliver high priority new assets to the community. 

Highlights include: 

  • $18.1m for new community facilities including Warriewood Valley community centre ($15.9m) and Warringah Recreation Centre ($1.5m)    
  • $17.0m for improving road assets and resurfacing 4.8km of roads ($7.1m)$10.1m towards priority stormwater management works to reduce flooding and pollution
  • $5.5m on shared paths including the pedestrian and cyclist bridge at Queenscliff ($2m)
  • $4.3m for new and improved footpaths across 14 suburbs including Queenscliff Headland access ramp
  • $3.8m improving foreshores at various locations, including implementation of the Freshwater Beach masterplan ($1.5m)
  • $3.8m on new and improved reserves and playgrounds including Frenchs Forest precinct park upgrade ($2.0m)
  • $3.2m improving sports fields and new recreation facilities
  • $3.0m improving recreational trails, including a new Manly Dam boardwalk ($2.5m) 
  • $2.4m for work on Taylors Point and design of Greater Mackerel Beach and Currawong wharves
  • $1.1m improving public amenities at Freshwater Beach and West Esplanade, Manly
  • $1.0m on town centre and village upgrades

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of NSW (IPART) has set a rate cap of 4.9 per cent, resulting in an increase of around $65 for the median rate for the year. The annual domestic waste charge will increase by $31 to $586.

Mayor Sue Heins thanked all those who gave feedback during the consultation period. 

“The 24/25 budget supports Council to get on with a range of projects that will protect and enrich life on the Northern Beaches,” Mayor Heins said. 

“It enables us to continue to maintain and renew community facilities, prioritise road and footpath repair, improve the stormwater network, deliver new infrastructure and pilot new programs to divert more waste from landfill. 

“However, Australia is in a challenging fiscal environment with escalating costs in materials, contracts and construction which impact on our budget. Add ongoing cost shifting from other levels of government and a rate peg that hasn’t matched inflation over a number of years, and Council’s long term financial sustainability is under pressure. 

“As we look to the future we will need to work with our community to continue to deliver services and community infrastructure in a sustainable way.

“Thank you to the many people in the community who provided feedback during the extended consultation period.” 

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