State MP Felicity Wilson comes out against North Sydney Council rate rises

9 December 2024

State MP for North Shore Felicity Wilson has come out swinging against plans by North Sydney Council for sweeping rate rises of as much as 81% for a majority of ratepayers next July.

As reported, Council is engaging in a quick-fire engagement process with ratepayers over Christmas to garner support for the proposed rises. The rises aim to increase the overall rate base by around 50% next year to help fund the increasing costs of the North Sydney Olympic Pool and a claimed capital backlog. Under various options, rates would rise by between 65% and 111% over three years.

“The ongoing delays for the reconstruction of North Sydney Olympic Pool have left local residents and visitors to our harbour city without access to one of our cherished community facilities,” Wilson said.

“Instead of a transparent, well-managed project, we have been left with mounting costs blowing out to $110 million or more and empty promises underscoring Council’s mismanagement of the project. The financial burden from these delays has fallen squarely on the shoulders of residents.”

“With reports Council are now looking at significantly hiking rates. I have written to the Mayor and General Manager to advocate on community concerns and to ensure that the burden is not pushed back onto local ratepayers. Council has a range of options they can access, including low-interest loans from NSW Treasury and their first option shouldn’t be dipping into ratepayers’ pockets. The potential impact of a rate rise on the local community is significant, especially for households and small businesses already managing increased living costs.”

Council is aiming to meet pre-conditions via a public engagement to take a submission to the NSW government’s independent pricing tribunal early next year.