Ku-ring-gai Council is facing significant financial challenges to renew and upgrade essential local infrastructure in line with community expectations.
Over the past decade, the cost of providing Council services has increased by 40%, but the amount of money collected through rates has only grown by 28%. To date, Ku-ring-gai Council has addressed the challenge by implementing cost savings and efficiencies within the organisation. However, further scope for cost savings is limited.
In addition, Ku-ring-gai’s total rates revenue per capita is below the Sydney average, despite Council having a large infrastructure portfolio to maintain.
These issues are reducing Council’s capacity to maintain, renew and upgrade $1.8 billion worth of local infrastructure, including buildings, stormwater and drainage, parks and recreational facilities, footpaths, roads and more.
This infrastructure has been deteriorating for generations due to inadequate funding.
As a result, Council is seeking your feedback on four rate increase options.
Three of these options would involve a permanent increase in rates above the NSW Government’s rate revenue peg to fund a range of infrastructure improvements.
In the absence of a rates increase, Council would be forced to pursue other means of cost cutting or revenue raising in order to address the decline in infrastructure. This may include reducing services such as libraries or parks maintenance, increasing user fees and possibly selling assets to redirect funds towards critical infrastructure maintenance and renewal. However, these alternate measures would not be adequate to address the infrastructure funding gap.
Here you will find out why Council is considering a rate increase, details of each option and how you can have your say.
Consultation closes 31 August at midnight