Residents asked for feedback on continuing Environmental Levy

Randwick City residents and ratepayers can have their say on whether an Environmental Levy in place for the past 15 years should continue for another five years as part of a four-week community consultation period commencing today, 20 November 2018.

The levy – which has helped extend the Coastal Walkway through South Coogee, Malabar Headland and Cape Banks as well as irrigating coastal parks with recycled stormwater – is due to expire on 30 June 2019.

The levy also funds other environmental initiatives such as Gross Pollutant Traps which improve water quality runoff at our beaches and environmental programs, workshops and festivals like Eco-Living Expo.

Council must make an application for a Special Rate Variation (SRV) to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) by 11 February 2019 should it wish to continue the levy.

“As a long-time local resident, a Councillor and now as Mayor, I’ve seen the progress we’ve been able to make because of the funding from the levy,” Randwick Mayor Kathy Neilson said.

“At an average of 25 cents per day or $91.49 per year for the average residential ratepayer, it’s a small amount that makes a big difference.

“We’re asking residents and ratepayers whether they want to continue a levy already included in the rates to deliver some great environmental programs.

“Discontinuing the levy means we’ll have to reprioritise our works programs – this means some of the environmental programs we’ve been delivering won’t continue while others will take longer or result in other works programs not happening,” Randwick Mayor Kathy Neilson said.

In May 2018, Randwick Council received approval from IPART for a 19.85% cumulative SRV to fund the Our Community Our Future program over three years which commenced July 2018.

Should the Environmental Levy continue, the overall cumulative increase for ratepayers over the next five years (from July 2019) will be 19.91% including the already approved Our Community Our Future SRV. Should the Environmental Levy not continue, the cumulative increase will be 12.44%.

Impact of continuing Environmental Levy

How to have your say

• Ratepayer survey. Every ratepayer will receive a letter, information booklet and survey in the mail. Complete the survey using the reply paid envelope or online using the link provided.
• Online. Visit www.yoursay.randwick.nsw.gov.au to lodge a submission.
• Information sessions. Attend an information session on 28 Nov, 6 Dec or 12 Dec.
• Email. Submissions can be emailed to council@randwick.nsw.gov.au or mailed to Council.
• In person. Documents can be viewed at Council’s Administration Centre and Libraries.

All submissions must be received by Council by 5pm 18 December 2018.

Media enquiries:

Chelsea Hunter – 0419 694 983 or chelsea.hunter@randwick.nsw.gov.au
Joshua Hay – 0402 351 459 or joshua.hay@randwick.nsw.gov.au