Northern Beaches Council released details of the 2018 rates at an Extraordinary Meeting of Council last night (3 May 2017).

Residents of the former Manly and Pittwater Council’s will see rates increased by 1.5 per cent, while the Special Rate Variation for former the Warringah Council means rates will increase on average by 9.4 per cent.

The rates, including the Special Rate Variation for the former Warringah Council were determined by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).

Council Chief Executive Officer Mark Ferguson said property owners should have received new property valuations from the Valuer General.

“The new property valuation will result in some ratepayers having an increased rates burden due to the relative increase in their property valuation.

“All property owners will now have a common property valuation base date of 1 July 2016 rather than different cycles for each of the three former councils.

“Rates will continue to be levied in accordance with the pre-amalgamation rating structures until June 2020,” Mr Ferguson said.

The other change ratepayers will notice is the addition of the Fire and Emergency Services Levy from 1 July 2017.

This is a State Government initiative that is being collected by Council for the NSW Government. Insurance companies will no longer be allowed to include this in insurance premiums and will now be itemised separately on the rates notices.

Northern Beaches Council will maintain pensioner rebates and discount policies as well as the Hardship Policy.