Northern Beaches Council has tonight voted to approve its budget and with it a 25.2 per cent rate rise.
Council had applied to IPART to increase rates closer to 40% but have been capped by the independent pricing tribunal to the 25.2%
CEO Scott Phillips wrote in the budget message that he appreciates that “some recent decisions, although necessary, have been difficult.”
He added, “In the pursuit of increasing service and infrastructure delivery. I appreciate that some recent decisions, although necessary, have been difficult. The detailed assessment of Council’s Long-term Financial Plan by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) recognised the pressures on the Council’s budget and the inability of the standard rate peg to meet the increasing gap in operating expenses caused by high levels of inflation and material costs over a number of years.”
Cr Vincent De Luca, one of the most vocal opponents to the increase, brought attention to Mr Phillips’ $570,000 salary in the budget for the next financial year.
He also drew attention to spending on management costs, vehicle fleet costs and, among other things, raised questions about the introduction of large pot plants outside council staff offices.
A vocal group of dissenting residents again packed out the gallery, holding placards challenging the decision.
Speaking before the decision, but upon being told by Manly Observer that the budget and rate increase was expected to pass, Northern Beaches Peoples Voice founder Stuart Gold said his group of 3,000 would not go quietly.
“Councillors think they can just dip into people’s back pockets without putting any effort in themselves or any restraint on their wages, on their salaries, on the number of staff, on all of these things, and, you know, 25.8 million for 111 executive positions for a local council is ridiculous, but would they look at that and address that? No.”
“I can’t reveal our secret plans to the enemy at this stage, but just rest assured we won’t be going home and sticking to our knitting. We’ll be fighting back.”
“Rest assured we won’t be going home and sticking to our knitting. We’ll be fighting back.”
But the majority of councillors (most of whom gave three minute speeches), ultimately argued that while regrettable, the increase was necessary to future proof the council and meet the infrastructure maintenance backlog.
“Without the special rate variation Council simply can’t meet financial sustainability benchmarks,” Cr Sarah Grattan argued. “We can’t contain expenses within revenue, and we can’t renew infrastructure fast enough to match how quickly it’s wearing out.”
“Without the special rate variation Council simply can’t meet financial sustainability benchmarks.”
Cr Grattan referred to some of the behaviour of people in this debate as “disgraceful” and described it as “down right thuggery”.
“Instead of civil dialogue, we’ve seen slander, intimidation and outright threats against councilors just doing their job.”
Cr Rowie Dillon claimed she had endured intimidation and bullying, including boycotts of her small business leading up to the decision on rates.
“I will not be swayed by fear and I will be making decisions based on what is best for the long term sustainability of our community, and not bowing to the pressures of faceless, anonymous attacks … I will not allow my vote to be held hostage by threats to my livelihood or my reputation.
“I will not be swayed by fear and I will be making decisions based on what is best for the long term sustainability of our community.”
Cr De Luca finished his case by stating that he had “gone to great lengths to outline the waste of this council, and unless this council starts pulling in its belt, there is no choice but for the community to call for the dismissal of this council and a administrator appointed.”
Cr Ethan Hnrjak countered: “It is important to remember that this council would be far more likely to be placed under administration, put on an improvement order, or sacked if we let our assets continue to deteriorate, fail more benchmarks and allow our financials to stray year after year…
The vote was put close to 10pm. It was passed.
Voted for:
Sue Heins (Mayor)
Ruth Robins (Deputy Mayor)
Nicholas Beaugeard
Sarah Grattan
Rowie Dillon
Ethan Hrnjak
Bonnie Harvey
Jody Williams
Miranda Korzy
Kristyn Glanville
Candy Bingham
Voted against:
Vincent De Luca
Robert Giltinan
Mandeep Singh
Joeline Hackman (spoke for, voted against)
What’s in the budget?
The 2025/26 budget proposes expenditure of $550 million (including a capital works program of $105 million), $2 million in savings and that a further $2.4 million in loans will be repaid.
The budget has been boosted by an additional $16 million from the proposed Special Variation to fund:
– $8 million for improvements to roads, footpaths and stormwater infrastructure
– $5 million to improve facilities, rockpools, playgrounds and grass mowing schedules
– $3 million to expand tree maintenance and planting, compliance services, environmental and natural risk reduction programs and natural disaster funding.
Council has stated the reduced rate increase would mean income levels are “sufficient to maintain services, fund the Asset Management Plans, and withstand unforeseen circumstances” but would not be able to fund larger projects, such as a rebuild of Warringah Aquatic Centre, unless funding came from an “alternative source”.
Readers can view the source documents for the Council agenda and budget here: https://northernbeaches.infocouncil.biz/Open/2025/06/OC_17062025_AGN_2615_AT.PDF
You can check your expected new rate cost here.
