North Sydney Council Rate Increase 87% - How to Complain?

slowlyslowly on 06/02/2025 - 15:41

Next Monday, 10.02.25 my local council, North Sydney Council in NSW is voting to have a rate increase of 87%. I haven't missed a decimal point, that is eighty seven per cent!

Just to be transparent, I didn't get a wage increase of 87% this year or last, so I would prefer they aimed a bit lower. Of course this 87% is for ever, with the standard 5% CPI added on to it every year.

How do I object to this? They had a survey and the survey wouldn't let you go past half way unless you agree to their minimum amount of 65% (top figure was 111%). Is there a NSW or Federal department I can complain to about this?

The reason is half our local pool but also half a claimed backlog of work. We have been told that everyone is working hard on costs, but our Mayor still works at a legal firm, someone said one day at council and four at the legal firm. For the last 30 years the previous mayors have been full time because it is something like a $120m or $130m budget.

What should I do? Besides sitting here in anger stewing that someone can make me pay a 87% increase.

Financial Council Rates

Comments

  • holdenmg on 06/02/2025 - 15:44
    +18

    Offer them 0.85% and go to 8.5% if pushed.

    • Dr Phil on 07/02/2025 - 15:06
      -1

      I believe its 85% over 5 years
      Still thats 17% per year every year for 5 years over the initial amount.

      I thought the council had to apply to the state government for approval so talk to your local member

      • 2025 on 08/02/2025 - 19:27
        -1

        I thought the council had to apply to the state government for approval so talk to your local member

        I think you might be confused. Holdenmg is not the OP, and is not looking for advice on complaining about council rate increases.

        You may have mistakenly replied to the top comment instead of adding your comment to the post. To add a comment to the post, scroll to the bottom of the comments and there's a text box. Hope this helps.

      • MorriJ on 08/02/2025 - 20:31
        +1

        I believe …

        Where on earth did you get 17% PA from? Are you just making things up to feel relevant?

        Option 2A is the option being backed by the council which is a 45% increase in 2025/26 and a subsequent 29% in 2026/27 which is where the 87% increase over a 2 year period comes from.

  • JimmyF on 06/02/2025 - 15:46
    +4

    What should I do? Besides sitting here in anger stewing that someone can make me pay a 87% increase.

    A rate increase this much has to be approved outside the council. So put in your views to this body. In VIC this is https://www.esc.vic.gov.au/local-government/annual-council-r… not sure who does NSW.

    Out of interest, what sort of numbers are you talking? If you had cheap rates to start with then a 87% doesn't seem as bad as it first sounded. So are you talking $700 going to ~$1300 or $1600 going to ~$3000.

    • slowlyslowly on 06/02/2025 - 15:57

      $2400 roughly so would be $4488

        • slowlyslowly on 06/02/2025 - 16:11
          +1

          MSPaint, NSC is 10.9 km2 so tiny, and well established. They literally have a fleet of electric bikes to get around, as well as cars. The footpaths, oval, etc are all well established so literally nothing new being built (except redoing the olympic pool). Everything already exists here. What Council do you live in?

          PS how many m2 are you. That is on 350m2

          • coffeeinmyveins on 07/02/2025 - 08:12
            +1

            @slowlyslowly:

            NSC is 10.9 km2 so tiny, and well established.

            so literally nothing new being built (except redoing the olympic pool).

            You've sort of answered your own question here buddy.

            If the council wants to make more money and pay for huge costs like the pool, where do you think it's going to come from?

            Would you prefer that you get double density high rise apartments everywhere around you rather than houses to offset the rise?

            How long ago was the last rate rise?

            • slowlyslowly on 07/02/2025 - 15:12

              @coffeeinmyveins: last rise was last year. North Sydney CBD has probably doubled in size over Covid, they installed a metro station then built much bigger building surrounding it. The council is encouraging the height as there is nowhere for the CBD to expand In the last 15 years St Leonards, in the NSC area of it has gone from being mainly houses to mainly 15 storey apartments. So we have got double density everywhere. No only a few streets are heritage listed for houses, particularly in Crows Nest

          • SlickMick on 07/02/2025 - 14:17
            +1

            @slowlyslowly: small council's don't have enough rate payers to cover costs. Sounds like you were lucky to have low rates for a while but your luck has run out.

            • tenpercent on 09/02/2025 - 09:05

              @SlickMick: OP, you're lucky you didn't get the boot on your throat harder or sooner. Lick it good to make it all shiny.

        • Dreamcast on 08/02/2025 - 06:37

          https://ibb.co/MxWqJs98

      • ForkSnorter on 06/02/2025 - 17:45
        +7

        $4488

        If you owned an apartment with that level of rates, and you paid $10k in body corporate (this is pretty common for a 2-bed apartment), then the combined cost of rates, body corporate and water fees would be nearly what I was paying to rent a beautiful 2-bed apartment only 5 years ago.

    • brad1-8tsi on 06/02/2025 - 16:53
      +6

      A rate increase this much has to be approved outside the council.

      It's IPART. The Independent Pricing & Regulatory Tribunal.

      It's unlikely they will approve beyond 20%. They are fairly hard core.

      • JimmyF on 06/02/2025 - 17:12
        +3

        It's unlikely they will approve beyond 20%. They are fairly hard core.

        Sounds fair they knock it back. Anything more than 20% is crazy bad budgeting.

        Which is fair, they shouldn't just jack it up because they can't budget!

        • brad1-8tsi on 06/02/2025 - 17:19
          +6

          The government trading organisation I worked for would apply for a 10% budget increase for our maintenance programme or our capital works programme and we'd get punted to the sidelines all the time and get 3%-4%.

          So we'd reduce preventive maintenance programmes and "run to fail". Or for capital works, pull the scope back and build something that was a piece-o-junk (but won awards as a consolation). We had all the awards hanging in the entrance foyer to the office. I called it "The Wall of Shame".

          • JimmyF on 06/02/2025 - 17:41

            @brad1-8tsi:

            The government trading organisation I worked for would apply for a 10% budget increase for our maintenance programme or our capital works programme and we'd get punted to the sidelines all the time and get 3%-4%.

            I get you need to do preventive maintenance programmes, but if you need to raise the budget 10% YoY, then that's a bit harsh for those paying the bill and I would question it too I guess :)

            Wouldn't you question if your rates go up 10-20% YoY?

            • brad1-8tsi on 09/02/2025 - 10:55

              @JimmyF: It'd not a static business.

              Aging assets require increasing maintenance & repairs.
              New assets have to be incorporated into the maintenance plan.
              Changed or new compliance costs.
              The nice people managing capital works programs within their budget disregarding recommendations that would reduce overall maintenance spend on the new asset.
              Discovering that when they introduced the last CMM a large portion of assets didn't make the transition.
              Discovering that the previous managers method of keeping within budget (at the CEOs request) was to double all maintenance periods.
              Previous management blindly disregarding requests for funds to counteract 20 years of an asset being ignored (I got an immediate $2m emergency allocation for that and another $20m for the next 6 years on that one).
              It adds up and I've experienced it in both government & private enterprise.

      • howdy on 08/02/2025 - 13:18

        If it goes to IPART its likely to be approved.

        Quite a few councils in NSW have sought and been granted rate increases well (and I mean well) above 20%. There is a process that has to be followed which includes public consulation with rate payers. Council usually consider a couple of rate rise options and then having decided will provide a submission to IPART seeking the preferred rate rise.

        I live in the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council area and we are in year two of a three year rate rise of 18% per year. After that if falls back to the normal rate pegging.

        PS You can also make submissions directly to IPART as there is also public consultation involved in that phase. But honestly, I think by now they have heard it all (cost of living pressures, council inefficiencies …..and so on). That doesn't seem to have discouraged them from approving substantial rate increases.

      • tenpercent on 09/02/2025 - 09:05

        Not approving beyond 20% = hardcore?

    • RedHab on 07/02/2025 - 10:45
      +1

      What can you do? Most states have a law where a petition of 50% of ratepayers can force either a new local council election or for the state to temporarily take over the council.

      But most ratepayers are apathetic, so it won't happen unless you do something.

      • JimmyF on 07/02/2025 - 11:09
        +4

        What can you do?

        Well not roll over and take a 87% rate increase without a fight because the council is crap at budgeting.

        Will they give a 50% rate cut in 5 years time once everything is sorted or keep their hand out for the yearly rate increases?

        87% is just short of doubling the budget! Crazy!

        Most states have a law where a petition of 50% of ratepayers can force either a new local council election or for the state to temporarily take over the council.

        Generally if it gets to the point of 'forcing' something, having a council election isn't what you want, as they are just the same bunch of inbreeds who scratch each others backs regardless of who wins. It's all just a dog and pony show to make the rate payers feel like they had a choice in the outcome.

        No different to the feds now, the core policies of either major party is the same, screw the Aussies, mass immigration, lots of under the table kick backs. Either way, they all have jobs, no matter who 'wins'. The dog and pony show goes on.

    • JimmyF on 06/02/2025 - 15:52
      +1

      To be fair, they had 3.5% increase the year before and will have a 3% increase next year. So they're doing ok.

    • Some Guy on 06/02/2025 - 18:51
      +2

      Yeah that's trash that's riddled with asterisks, exclusions and gotchas.

      My rates for an IP in Banyule CC since 2019 (owned since 2008) suggest increases in real terms of about 5% year on average:

      2019 - $1,838
      2020 - $1,933 (5.16%)
      2021 - $1,986 (2.74%)
      2022 - $1,854 (-6.64%)
      2023 - $2,156 (16.28%)
      2024 - $2,299 (6.63%)

      • Poor Ass on 07/02/2025 - 11:01

        how big is your land?

        • Some Guy on 23/02/2025 - 13:51

          About 600m2. Smaller than most for the suburb.

          • Poor Ass on 23/02/2025 - 13:59

            @Some Guy: I'm in Brisbane 600m2 too and $800 a quarter

            You quarter or a year?

            • Some Guy on 23/02/2025 - 14:19

              @Poor Ass: Those are my annual rates.

              • Poor Ass on 23/02/2025 - 15:00

                @Some Guy: Not too bad then

                • Some Guy on 23/02/2025 - 16:51

                  @Poor Ass: They get us on the land tax though. Valuations are a sham, much "worse" than those used for the rates.

                  • Poor Ass on 23/02/2025 - 17:07

                    @Some Guy: Not sure where you are but land tax exempt for main residence

                    Only investment is assessed but first 600k is exempt for individuals and first 350k exempt for organisations in Qld

                    But yes the valuations are over inflated

  • Russell Dupsumtucka on 06/02/2025 - 15:49
    +6

    Feeling (half) your pain from the Northern Beaches, but apparently we're affluent and can afford it.

    • jv on 06/02/2025 - 15:55
      +8

      Effluent in the Northern Beaches ???

    • slowlyslowly on 06/02/2025 - 16:02
      +2

      I saw your increase and couldn't believe it, then our Council tops it. They also want the minimum rates up, so a bedsit would go from $700 to something over $1300

      • Webber000 on 07/02/2025 - 16:56
        +2

        Yeah feel sorry for you.
        Northern Beaches rate rise is entirely because of "backlogs of work". They did a survey where the majority of people voted AGAINST the rise so they decided to proceed not only with a rise to clear the backlog but add on an additional amount for extra works on new stuff that doesn't even exist and no-one wants (or the majority said not to do in the vote). Something like 11% of people voted for what the council are now trying to do.
        Thats council for you…
        Hopefully the government don't approve it, but I expect they will. Astonishing when its even against the survey they did and what we voted for.

        For you, your council started knocking down an iconic pool sat directly under the harbour bridge and with lovely views to the opera house BEFORE they even had architect plans etc as I understand it???
        No wonder its gone millions over budget and so they are now "having" to put up the council tax to pay for it.
        Honestly makes you think the bigger issue isn't the council tax increase - its getting these muppets out of council ASAP if they are allowed to stuff up like that and then bill you for it.

  • star-ggg on 06/02/2025 - 15:50
    +37

    Next headline: "North Sydney Council increases rate by 150% to pay legal fees from increasing rates to 87%"

  • ihbh on 06/02/2025 - 15:53
    -6

    How to Complain?

    Move else where? Complain with your feet and save your wallet.

  • Dollar General on 06/02/2025 - 15:57
    +2

    Run for local government

    • Gunnar on 06/02/2025 - 17:48
      +4

      MNSGA!

  • alvian on 06/02/2025 - 15:57
    +8

    Every year IPART decides a rate peg for each council in NSW which sets the maximum amount councils can increase the revenue they collect from rates. Councils must seek IPART approval to increase their rates revenue by more than the rate peg. To do this they apply to IPART for a special variation.

    You can get involved by making a submission to an open consultation, or by attending a public hearing. We thoroughly review all submissions and your opinion informs our draft and final reports.

    How you can have your say

  • slowlyslowly on 06/02/2025 - 16:00
    +3

    Alvian that is just what I need! Seems like the NSW version of what Jimmy posted. My whole street is pretty peeved.

    To be honest you couldn't imagine working for a private company and asking for an 87% budget increase unless you had doubled staff or similar

    • mrdean on 06/02/2025 - 17:02
      +3

      Councils now have CEOs. They have become aligned to a corporate model being implemented on a global scale, & are run as businesses.

      If you actually know the people in your street/neighborhood & have good relations with them, that is a pretty good start to forming some sort of resistance group. There might be some lawyers/barristers or others high up in the system that could advise on what to do.

      Or you could go full sov cit.

      • Bidet Mate on 07/02/2025 - 12:21

        "But what about the bins and roads"
        -People that don't know these account for <10% of most council budgets.

        I wish Hyper-Local Governance would become more cool so I could vote for it. Be a lot harder to ask for an 87% rate increase when you're living on the same block as your constituents.

        • SlickMick on 07/02/2025 - 14:27
          +1

          big difference in cost of bins vs roads. Not sure that roads < 10%

          • Bidet Mate on 08/02/2025 - 21:51

            @SlickMick: Roads are less than 8% in Hobart.

            When you said "not sure" was it just a feeling or did you actually research your city and it was different?

            • SlickMick on 08/02/2025 - 23:51

              @Bidet Mate: I work for a LG. I knew bin collection is a minor cost, but roads is huge… but there may well be other costs that are huger, so I'm not saying you're wrong.

              • Bidet Mate on 09/02/2025 - 16:02

                @SlickMick: Just seems weird to disagree with a numerical answer with a "I feel like" instead of just checking. And if you work for an LG surely you've seen at least one infographic on the subject? If you haven't, it makes disagreeing even more strange.

                • HuzzahIndeed on 09/02/2025 - 20:00
                  +1

                  @Bidet Mate: That’s because SlickMick doesn’t and has never worked for a council, it’s obvious based on SlickMick’s comments in this thread that they haven’t, and that he/she doesn’t know what they’re on about and is being dishonest about working for an LGA. This is a member who said to me yesterday “No-one decides how much council's collect except the council” and “you said councils determine only part of the rate charge. That's dead wrong”, if the member actually did work for a council they would know what they have said is not accurate. Which council is it that you supposedly work for SlickMick?

  • Fredfloresjr on 06/02/2025 - 16:07
    +11

    Time to abolish this non sense Councils lol.

  • mskeggs on 06/02/2025 - 16:11
    +9

    Being Mayor or councillor in local government isn't a full time job (nor is it paid like one). The council will have a business manager being paid hundreds of thousands who is the equivalent of the CEO.
    The mayor and council appoint the business manager, but don't run the council.
    The pool works at North Sydney has been woefully mismanaged, and the council has spent much more than it should.

    My guess is this is a media stunt to pressure the state government to bail them out. Personally, I don't want my state taxes bailing out your mismanaged and badly funded council.
    You probably could have avoided this drama if there was more scrutiny a few years ago, but now the council you voted for has acted on your behalf and the bill is coming due.

    • mskeggs on 06/02/2025 - 16:17
      +4

      For context, the council with income of $150m committed to a massive redevelopment of the heritage pool, which has blown out to $122m.

      There was no need for such a lavish upgrade, and the mismanagement that has seen a massive cost ramp is terrible.
      https://northsydneysun.com.au/community-politics/north-sydne…

      • Name on 09/02/2025 - 20:30

        The council only has an income of $150m? That seems too little for North Sydney. Like I'm in city of gold coast and our council's yearly revenue is $2billion. No wonder they are increasing rates by 87%!

        /edit - just looked up size of north Sydney. Man that's a tiny council area! They need to amalgamate.

    • slowlyslowly on 06/02/2025 - 16:17
      +1

      mskeggs, for the last three decades since Ted Mack the mayors have all been full time. The pay is low for the job, about $110k, but enough to live on. I assumed people did it because they loved the area. You are right the GM is on $500k. My theory is don't apply if you don't want to work full time, especially if asking ratepayers to stump up an 87%, you could have given cost cutting your full attention

    • brad1-8tsi on 06/02/2025 - 17:07
      +5

      Being Mayor or councillor in local government isn't a full time job (nor is it paid like one).

      That would be incorrect. Plenty of Mayors are full time & well paid. EG: Clover City of Sydney.

      The mismanagement of North Sydney Pool has its roots in the Sports Rorts fiasco where the government of the day decided that North Sydney qualified for a "regional" grant. It's a bun fight and so many mistakes and bad decisions made.

      OP is having a cry but the rates in the area are comparatively cheap. If they are paying $2400 then their property is worth $2.7m-$3.3m and on a reasonable block of dirt. My wife's 2 bedroom house is in Crows Nest on 150sqm is $2k/yr in rates. I'm in City of Sydney and my apartment is $1700/yr.

      It's quite an affluent demographic in the area. The Median household income is $156k.

      • mskeggs on 06/02/2025 - 17:22
        +1

        I didn't realise Clover Moore was such a outlier in Mayoral pay.
        Sydney Lord Mayor is paid several times the North Sydney salary.
        https://www.remtribunals.nsw.gov.au/assets/psc/LGRT-2024-Ann…

        • slowlyslowly on 07/02/2025 - 08:54
          +1

          Interesting, this morning one of my neighbours pointed out that our Mayor is paid more per day than Clover Moore. The Lord Mayor is paid close to $300k but works 5 days, ours works 1 for $110k ($550k over a week). Worth pointing out both jobs have plenty of evening and weekend commitments

        • brad1-8tsi on 07/02/2025 - 15:24
          +1

          I didn't realise Clover Moore was such a outlier in Mayoral pay

          Clover is rolling in the clover. Her pay pales in comparison to how much council money she wastes.

          I'm surprised North Sydney isn't equal to Parramatta in ranking.

      • Caped Baldy on 07/02/2025 - 10:29

        And the contract was signed on NYE with ICON who built Opal Tower…

    • brendanm on 06/02/2025 - 17:40
      +5

      Our mayor is on $280k, not including the under the table cash.

      • mskeggs on 06/02/2025 - 17:58
        +2

        Wow, in NSW only the Sydney Lord Mayor earns more than $150k

        • coffeeinmyveins on 07/02/2025 - 08:13
          +1

          to be fair, compared to private, 150k is pretty low. I work with junior PM's that are on that.

          • TheFreaK on 07/02/2025 - 10:23
            +1

            @coffeeinmyveins: Yeah but they have actual repercussions for blowing out a budget

            • coffeeinmyveins on 07/02/2025 - 13:17
              +1

              @TheFreaK: Who does, the junior PM? nope. No repercussions at all in private beyond you may not get a promotion.

              • CocaKoala on 09/02/2025 - 20:23

                @coffeeinmyveins: This is not true at all. My previous manager was sacked unceremoniously, and on the spot for taking on more than he could handle and delivering less than expectations. Sure, that may not apply to all companies during all times, but private workplaces could be generally a lot more brutal than public when it comes to accountability.

        • darkmattersunB6c0MV on 08/02/2025 - 14:17

          Are you sure of this? There are many permanent IT jobs offered at over $150k p.a.

          • mskeggs on 08/02/2025 - 14:30

            @darkmattersunB6c0MV: I am talking about the elected councillors and mayor. Most councillors earn under $30k for their part time positions.
            Council staff earn closer to market rates.

  • Gdsamp on 06/02/2025 - 16:18
    +10

    Due to war in ukraine, supply chain , middle east ETC

    • mboy on 06/02/2025 - 16:20
      +11

      Don't forget COVID /s

      • Gdsamp on 06/02/2025 - 16:41
        +7

        BTW Guys we flattened the inflation curve it's only 2.4%…. SOFT LANDING !

  • Cho0028 on 06/02/2025 - 16:37
    +5

    Is this the same inept council that blew out their budget on a pool refurb and decided to save their arses by raising rates?

    • slowlyslowly on 06/02/2025 - 16:40

      That is the one. They are claiming the pool is only part and they needed to anyway due to cost increases, work backlog, etc. I know they had a loan for some of the pool blowout, the aim being for pool revenue to slowly pay the loan back. Loan was $20m or simlar

  • tsunamisurfer on 06/02/2025 - 16:38

    Why are you comparing an 86% increase of rates with your income?

    86% of a thousand dollar or 2 is a few hundred.

    86% increase on tens of thousands or even over hundred thousand dollars is a huge amount.

    • slowlyslowly on 06/02/2025 - 16:44

      Because most expenses or even income go up by 10% or CPI, this is out of line with. Funnily enough everything in my life has gone up in the last few years, but this is out of proportion. In my case the increase isn't a few hundred but a couple of thousand, to me a large amount though possibly nothing to you.

    • R-Man on 06/02/2025 - 21:47

      "why are you comparing the % increase in one of your expenses, with the % increase on your income?"

    • Darude Sandstorm on 08/02/2025 - 12:31
      +2

      Yeah exactly, 86% of a couple of thousand is less than 1% of OPs income, Northern Sydney median house prices is 2.5m and incomes median is 300K while average is 600. This is a shit post.

  • neo on 06/02/2025 - 16:39
    +4

    It's all good, you'll get a

    café and gelato bar

    as well! /s

  • boomramada on 06/02/2025 - 16:53

    OP you can protest like these guys, https://www.news.com.au/finance/money/costs/disgusting-outra…

    • CyberMurning on 06/02/2025 - 16:56
      +1

      Outrage as Northern Beaches Council votes to raise rates 40 per cent

      40 or 87 ???

  • Benoffie on 06/02/2025 - 16:55

    87%?! Wtaf?! 🙃

  • CyberMurning on 06/02/2025 - 16:55
    +3

    go strike just like those train drivers

  • askbargain on 06/02/2025 - 16:59

    was it 87% underpriced before

    • brad1-8tsi on 06/02/2025 - 17:13
      +3

      I'm quite familiar with the area and the rates are comparatively quite reasonable given land/house values. Better than what i pay for my apartment in the neighbouring municipality with a 40sqm footprint.

      The OP is correct in saying the council is incompetent. Such a massive stuff-up and you could see it coming from when the idea was first floated.

  • Protractor on 06/02/2025 - 17:00
    +2

    Flaming torches and lynch mob is your best option. ; )
    Local govt are parasites. Wait till you see the waste in admin annual report, CEO wages and perks.
    LG has been dysfunctional and unnecessary since the 50's. It needs to be abolished.

    This shit (random example today) happens regularly across the country. It's a trough and springboard for poltical aspirants>

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-06/wa-premier-concern-as…

    • Jolakot on 06/02/2025 - 18:22

      Pay peanuts, get monkeys as they say

      • Protractor on 06/02/2025 - 18:48
        +1

        LOL, check out the 'write your own cheque' salaries of council CEOs. And they are almost unsackaable, and get more $$ incrementally if they employ more staff, and change councils. Ergo the base rate is connected to the number of satff they have presided over.
        Rate payers pay bullion and still get monkey shit output.

        • Jolakot on 06/02/2025 - 19:56
          +1

          More so the councilors and mayor, should be a full-time job not some hobby side-gig or retiree social club, get rid of 3/4 councils and consolidate allowances to make it worthwhile.

          The CEOs do get paid decently, but still comparatively less than they would at a private company. Pay lots of peanuts, get an ape.

          • Protractor on 06/02/2025 - 20:14
            -1

            @Jolakot: CEOs do get paid decently, but still comparatively less than they would at a private company

            You're forgetting the brown paper bags under the table.This is local govt we're talking about.

            And the CEO in a major company actually company does work,has responsibility,is accountable. CEO in LG, hand balls responsibility and work, ,denies blame,has legal protections well beyond private corps.It's a honey pot as as big as a trough

    • Caped Baldy on 07/02/2025 - 10:32
      +2

      Local governments have to deal with the shit that the state government palms off. As someone that has worked in local gov, there is a bit of waste and things could be more efficient. A lot of effort is wasted on the insane members of the public and NIMBYs having a cry and the councillors trying to appease the vocal minority and their vanity projects.

      • Protractor on 07/02/2025 - 10:47
        -1

        State govts should still be doing that fobbed off shit.Councils have become bullet proof tax collectors. Local govt is a cul de sac, no, a car park for productivity. We'd be better off with contractors doing the road,garden stuff etc.
        The citizen jury to state govt model is 110% better than the existing bottomless pit. But the worst part is the corruption and the agendas of councillors.RE sales ppl and developers on council? Hahaha.It's a trough.
        If any council lets a minority , NIMBY or Karen rule the roost it explains their obsolescence factor well.
        Across Australia there are no consistent laws and regs around local govt, no real cop on the beat and no productivity goals overseen. This is why it should be folded up, ASAP.
        If you want to retire at 25 get a job in local govt at 25.

  • brendanm on 06/02/2025 - 17:36
    +3

    This is one of those cases where if every rate payer refused to pay they'd have to give in, but no one will do that.

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