DELIVERY PROGRAM 2018 - 2021
There is information about a rates increase that is causing confusion so we are updating you and asking that you give us some feedback.
The fact is, there currently is a rate freeze remains that in place until at least 2020.
What councillors voted for was to keep up with inflation - an increase of 2.3% - an average of $30-$40 per household per year.
The Northern Beaches Council started with a $90 million liability of loans inherited from both Manly & Pittwater Councils. This has now been repaid down to $38 million and to maintain financial sustainability, Council needs to maintain sufficient surplus to repay the loan repayments which is $7 million for the next financial year. This allows council to continue to provide current service levels and to roll out agreed new projects - such as skate parks, synthetic sports fields, surf club upgrades, swimming pool upgrades, board walks etc.
Anyone balancing a household budget will tell you that to not keep pace with inflation, effectively means you are going backwards. It would result in either not proceeding with agreed projects or in scaling back current services.
We believe that not proceeding with matching inflation would be reckless and irresponsible.... the choice was simple.
Either small consistent rises each year to match inflation or alternatively, put Council in debt and lead to a large rate rise in 2021/22.
Some of the Councillors were seeking to borrow money to maintain aging infrastructure. We object to this because all it does is create a growing debt that gets passed into our kids for them to pay - with interest.
(As if things aren't tough enough already).
For those of you wanting to know where the money is going, please start at page 30 on the Draft Delivery Plan. (The services are in alphabetical order) This document is large, so it will take a couple of seconds to start downloading.
If you want to see how each service is funded then head to page 67 & 68.
Any Councillor labelling this a rate rise is reckless and irresponsible. They are fearmongering and playing politics and the community is sick of it
Got Questions?
There are drop in sessions for everyone to attend, so you can ask questions and give your opinions.
· Mon 7 May, 6 - 7:30pm. Glen Street Library, Belrose
· Wed 9 May, 6 - 7.30pm. Council Chambers, 725 Pittwater Road Dee Why
· Mon 14 May, 6 - 7.30pm. Council Chambers, Manly Town Hall, Belgrave Street, Manly
· Thur 17 May, 6 - 7.30pm. Newport Community Centre, Newport
· Thur 24 May, 6 - 7.30pm. Coastal Environment Centre, Pelican Path, Lake Park Road, North Narrabeen
- Please make a submission either
· Online or
· In writing addressed to CEO Northern Beaches Council, 725 Pittwater Road Dee Why 2099
Enquiries to Michael McDermid, Manager Corporate Strategy on 9942 2365
Submissions close Sunday 27 May, 2018
As a result of the fearmongering, our Councillors are starting to receive emails from the community suggesting that instead of keeping services, council should consider cutting it's services or deleting them completely!
Examples given are deleting Children's Services, selling Glen St Theatre and Manly Art Gallery, reducing bushland funding, deleting the new Creative space, cutting Library Services - the list goes on.
We know how loved these services are by the community.
Let us know by filling in this quick survey HERE
Also some Councillors are being contacted by residents upset that they are receiving unsolicited emails from a current Councillor that they had not signed up for.
Please contact us so we can forward you onto the concerned party whose data may have been compromised.
Not sure how rates are worked out?
Visit this Council webpage that explains how and when the last land valuations were done in your area.
