Northern Beaches Council’s ‘have your say’ on their rate rise proposal will be wrapping up this Sunday, 12 January. Last night a small group of concerned residents took to Dee Why to express their disapproval of what’s proposed.
A group of just over a dozen people lined the corner of Dee Why library, adjacent to the B1 bus stops, protesting council’s proposal to either keep the same rates (that are already approved to increase slightly) but cut services, or increase rates significantly and permanently between 31 per cent to 46 per cent “in order to maintain, improve or supercharge Council services.”
You can read an in-depth explanation of the rate rise here.
One of the factors agitating protestors and many online was the large portion of the budget dedicated towards staff salaries, one of the organisers of the event, Deborah Bardwell, told Manly Observer.
“What we are protesting is we want everyone to vote [option] one. We want to stick within our budget if we’ve got managers and CEOs and top heavy head count on a very, very high salary, which they’re not prepared to lose, and they turn around and go to the rate payers to get more money,” she said.
“We don’t feel that’s fair. We don’t feel they’re managing our money properly, and we have lost confidence in the council.”
The group has submitted a written proposal to Council outlining their dismay towards the substantial increase and the way it was communicated to residents.
“They dropped us on it over the Christmas period. When everybody’s planning their holidays, their Christmas they’ve said, Oh, by the way, fill out this survey. Most people we talked to did not fill out the survey. They didn’t understand it. They had to click on a QR code to go in and put their submission. The questions are all skewed to increase in our rates. So yes, we are not happy with the way this has been conducted.”
Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins told Manly Observer in response to the planned rally, “Council is aware of today’s cost of living struggles but says the reality is rates will need to increase to maintain essential services such as renewing roads, footpaths, playgrounds, pools, libraries, and other community services.
“If we stay on the same rate path we will have to look to cut services,” the Mayor said.
“We have made savings through the amalgamation and initiatives like workplace reform, service reviews, and energy saving programs but it’s not enough.
“We are listening to the community, and I encourage residents to jump online, look at the options, and use the rates calculator.”
A large amount of blame for the depletion of the Northern Beaches budget was put on a $24 million dollar funding gap for an increase of costs in construction materials.
Other reasons for the proposed rate rise was $41 million of Costs from Covid, being hit with a wave of natural disasters and the State Government $9 million Emergency Services Levy shifted onto Council.
However, protesters believe the Northern Beaches community could achieve the status quo of only small rate rises with no cuts to services if Council begin to look at reducing other internal expenses such as wages and their vehicle pool, valued at $3.2 million.
“Council for the last eight years has increased continuously above inflation, and that’s the main issue. The main issue is not that inflation is killing them, it’s just that they didn’t save any money,” protester Frank said, a resident of 15 years and a claimed financial and economics advisor to various government agencies.
“But it’s nothing in comparison to the budget of the council. It’s, it’s, it’s a drop in the ocean. So they have to start to restructure their organisation and reduce the bureaucracy. The different management players return to a general manager instead of CEO, which is paid far too much, including the directors of the division.
“The problem is structural. They first have to they have to save money. They have to save money for services that they shouldn’t deliver. They have to stop spending too much on the capital expenditure. They have to spend the money from the developer contributions within the budgets, and they they are very reluctant to stay within the budgets.”
Another resident of the beaches for 30 years says she can’t afford to pay more rates due to the cost of living.
“I think possibly they’re a bit top heavy and they’re paying too much in the other wages. Perhaps that needs to change,” she said.
Councillor for Narrabeen Ward Vincent De Luca told Manly Observer he was sympathetic towards the people participating in the rally and was set to meet with them before the protest.
“I’m very sympathetic to all residents who at this time are suffering. We have to realise that never before in my nearly 20 years on council have we had such an issue with. The cost of living and an up to 46 per cent rate rise,” Cr De Luca shared.
“Nearly 40 per cent of ratepayers money is spent on salary and on costs. $25 million plus a little bit more, is spent on over 115 executives at Council. $3.3 million is spent on their cars. That is unsustainable. People are saying, We don’t want a cultural and events division. We don’t want a marketing and advertising division that council needs to return to its core values of roads rubbish and protecting the community from local issues.”
Cr De Luca originally put forward a motion to the Northern Beaches CEO last June proposing Council look at their staff’s management, salaries, on costs and any possible savings that could be implemented before turning to an incremental rate rise.
“If we look at innovative ways, such as repurposing properties, looking at private public partnerships, looking at actually enhancing community facilities by getting involved in public private partnerships, I think that will sustain us for a very long time,” he said.
However the majority of elected councillors have pointed to the ongoing needs and wants of the electorate, from playground upgrades and a backlog of maintenance work to non-core expenses such as support for struggling local charities. The marketing and advertising division is also responsible for communicating key information to residents, as well as supporting local media through advertisements for events and such:
Today is the last day, 11 January 2025, for residents to have their say on what option of rates they would prefer. There is no option for a rate reduction. All feedback will be presented to Council on 28 January 2025 where a decision will be made on how to proceed.
To voice your opinion you can do so on the Council website. On the page provides more information about why they believe the rate rise is needed, it also has a rate calculator so you can calculate how much the rise will affect you in association with your property.
