0°C | Sunday February 1, 2026 
18 January 2026
Independent North Sydney councillor James Spenceley said that attempts by North Sydney Council to revive an application to a state tribunal for a major rate rise – this time in the order of 53%-64% – were a case of “putting lipstick on a pig.”
Speaking to the North Sydney Sun, Spenceley was critical of the 700 page report to be voted on by Council tonight (19th) on the grounds that it made the same mistakes as last year’s application, which sought an 87% rate rise only to be rejected by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal for failing several of its evaluation criteria.
The councillor reserved his greatest criticism for a community survey conducted by Micromex for the Council. The survey asked respondents to consider whether they would like to see a range of different services provided by Council reduced, maintained or increased. According to the Council report to be voted on, the Micromex report “concluded that there was little appetite for reduced service levels, with most residents wanting services/infrastructure to be maintained, if not improved.”
“The survey was written in a way that meant that questions about desires for greater service levels were not linked to the costs of such preferences,” Spenceley said.
Micromex conducted two phases of survey. The first phase saw over 600 respondents “recruited” and asked about service levels and rates. This drew the conclusion that “66% of residents are at least somewhat supportive of paying more in rates to maintain or improve services.”
The second phase incorporated a so-called “representative” survey of 507 local residents and businesses, as well as an “opt-in” survey which attracted 672 responses. The residential survey apparently found that “48% of residents prefer Council proceeding with some level of rate variation.” Of the three proposed rate options, 52% preferred Option 1, a maintenance of the rate peg which allows for as minimal increase over three years. Option 2 – a 39% rate rise – was supported by 26% and just 22% supported Option 3 – the 53% rate rise which councillors are voting on tonight.
Spenceley said the format of the survey exposed Council to the charge that it was trying to secure an outcome. One particular issue was with the use of degrees of “satisfied” as a response to questions, which could be interpreted in various ways. The use of the phrase “somewhat satisfied” as opposed to the use of contrasting phrases such as “support” or “oppose” can have the effect of distorting responses.
He also said there was a lack of explanation and data to show how conclusions were arrived at.