Our Community Our Future

A moderate $68 increase in rates for the average Randwick City ratepayer next financial year 2018-19 is set to deliver a number of significant community projects.

The Independent Pricing & Regulatory Tribunal today (15 May 2018) announced approval of Randwick Council’s three-year special rate variation saying Council had clearly explained the purpose and impact of the variation to the community and that it would have a ‘moderate but reasonable’ impact on ratepayers.

Randwick Mayor Lindsay Shurey said Council would now get on with the job of delivering some significant building projects and social programs for the community.

“In December and January we consulted with local residents and ratepayers about whether they were prepared to pay a little more to speed up delivery of some significant projects.

“Of the almost 6,000 responses Council received, 49% backed Council’s preferred rate increase option, 29% supported a smaller increase while 22% supported the minimal rate peg increase.

“Increasing rates is not a decision we take lightly. I know that household costs and living expenses are rising and we keep our rates low while still providing great services and projects.

“But it’s clear that many of the projects we proposed as part of the Our Community Our Future program are an important priority for the community and people want to see them achieved within a reasonable time frame,” Mayor Shurey said.

The Our Community Our Future projects include:

• Anti-terrorism measures to make public places safer as required by the Federal Government
• Upgrade to the La Perouse Museum
• Addressing domestic violence through innovative strategies to provide more housing options for those exiting domestic violence and provide dedicated outreach workers
• Undergrounding powerlines to increase street tree planting opportunities
• Providing an arts and cultural centre
• Upgrading the Randwick Literary Institute
• Building a new indoor sports centre and gymnastics centre at Heffron Park, Maroubra
• Implementing Council’s digital strategy
• Various park, community building and public toilet upgrades

IPART has approved an overall increase to Council’s total rate base over the next three years of 19.85%. However this increase also includes a special levy on Port Botany which reduces the overall impact on residential ratepayers.

For the average residential ratepayer, the increase each year for the next three years will be a moderate 5.52% or about $68 a year. If the Special Rate Variation had not been approved, rates would have increased regardless due to the State Government rate peg by between 2.3% and 2.5% a year over the next three years.

The rate increase has been included as part of Council’s draft Budget and Operational Plan 2018-19 which is currently on public exhibition for community comment until 1 June 2018.

Related resources:

• YourSay Randwick – draft Budget and Operational Plan 2018-19
• Info Video – Special Rate Variation

Media enquiries:

JoshuaHay – 0402351459 orJoshua.hay@randwick.nsw.gov.au

Wednesday 14 February 2018

A majority of local residents and ratepayers have backed a Randwick City Council proposal to seek a special rate variation to deliver a number of significant community projects.

An independent telephone survey and a ratepayer survey of almost 6,000 respondents found majority support for a cumulative rate increase of 19.85% over three years and borrowing $27M to fast track projects.

The increase equates to about $70 per year for the average residential ratepayer paying $1,159 per year and would see a number of significant projects delivered in the next seven years including:

• Building a women’s refuge centre;
• Undergrounding powerlines to increase street tree planting;
• Building an arts and cultural centre;
• Upgrading the La Perouse Museum and Randwick Literary Institute;
• Implementing anti-terrorism measures to increase public safety; and
• Building a new indoor sports centre and gymnastics centre at Heffron Park in Maroubra.

A meeting of Randwick Council on 13 February 2018 endorsed the approach and Council has lodged the rate variation application with the Independent Pricing & Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for consideration. A decision is expected in May 2018 and if approved would come into effect from July 2018.

Council resolved at the meeting to continue with a planned upgrade of the amenities building at Mahon Pool at Maroubra Beach without the proposed addition of a café.

Randwick Mayor Lindsay Shurey thanked the thousands of local residents and ratepayers for getting involved in the consultation program.

“The community has spoken and told us they want us to get on with the projects and services. Our Community Our Future is about continuing to provide the services and facilities you expect, but also addressing some very real challenges that lie ahead – making our community safer, increasing our tree canopy coverage and addressing domestic violence,” Mayor Shurey said.

A report on the outcomes of the community consultation can be downloaded here.