Community backs rate variation; Council lodges Our Community Our Future application with IPART

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.


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This consultation has concluded. Thank you to everyone who got involved to have your say!

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