North Sydney Council votes to nearly double rates amid strong resident opposition

North Sydney Council has voted to nearly double its rates, despite strong opposition from residents.

Transcript

00:00It's the troubled $120 million redevelopment of this famous Sydney pool which North Sydney

00:08Council says is left to cash-strapped and seeking an 87% rate hike over the next two

00:13years.

00:14It was a hostile crowd that gathered at the North Sydney Council chambers last night for

00:19a fiery meeting.

00:20I'm calling you to order, show some respect.

00:24Not all Councillors were in favour of the proposal to apply for a special variation

00:28that would allow the Council to almost double rates.

00:31We haven't looked at selling assets or using debt to smooth out the repayments, it's just

00:35been pushed onto the ratepayers for no reason.

00:38The room erupted in boos as the majority of Councillors pushed ahead to vote for the proposal

00:42despite dozens of speakers arguing against it.

00:47Residents here say the rate hikes will put them under financial strain and they're angry

00:51that the Council didn't flag the hike before last year's Council elections.

00:55I think it's pretty lousy, that sort of an increase is over the top.

01:02It's a significant amount of money and you never know who to believe in these circumstances.

01:09The local Mayor says North Sydney's rates are coming off a low base and the hike is

01:13largely the result of neglect by the previous Council.

01:16In a year's time we wouldn't be able to pay for all of our services and for our staff

01:23even.

01:24It is a true liquidity crisis or cash crisis.

01:28We all knew all along that these amalgamated Councils would be a bloody disaster and that's

01:34exactly what's come to fruition.

01:38North Sydney Council's rate hike comes after the Northern Beaches proposed a 40% increase

01:43in its rates.

01:44A decision on whether the proposals can go ahead will be made by the Independent Pricing

01:48and Regulation Tribunal soon.