Randwick Council rates to rise under proposed budget

Randwick Council rates to rise under proposed budget

By PATRICK MCKENZIE

Randwick Council rates are set to increase by a “modest” 2.5 per cent in the coming financial year, as part of its draft Operational Plan and Budget that will be on public exhibition until May 27.

Resolved at a council meeting this month, councillors carried the General Manager’s report on the plans, which said that the rate increase was “reasonable and will ensure continued high levels of community satisfaction with council services”. 

Council estimates that the increase will bring an extra $1.13 million of income in the upcoming fiscal year and $12.74 million over the next decade.

The Domestic Waste Charge is also set to increase by 2.2 per cent (up by $13.73), to reach over $637 a year.

“Maintaining high-quality service levels and rolling out new infrastructure for our community to enjoy is at the heart of the Operational Plan and Budget. We’re confident our plan delivers on this goal,” Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker said.

“I am proud to say we’ve budgeted for one of the largest capital works programs ever delivering the facilities that will add to quality of life of all Randwick City residents.”

Multimillion-dollar Heffron Centre part of Randwick Council program

Randwick Council
An artist’s impression of the Heffron Centre. Photo: Randwick Council.

All together, council hopes to deliver a $65.6 million capital works program across brand new projects and upgrades across the area, including new sporting facilities, parks, playgrounds and public art.

One of the more significant projects is the multipurpose ‘Heffron Centre’ at Maroubra’s Heffron Park, a joint venture with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, who will call the park their new home once it’s completed later this year.

The Heffron Centre has received $11.8 million from the NSW government, and $10 million from the federal government, and will accommodate sports such as netball, basketball, badminton and volleyball.

Additional projects include the planting of 5000 native plants across the area, upgrades to 6.5 kilometres of road and three kilometres of footpaths, five new electric vehicle charging stations and three new public art installations.

Residents can submit feedback on the draft documents at Randwick Council’s website. A note on the budget and 2.5 per cent rate rise says that “without this additional variation, the drop in forecast revenue would compromise council’s ability to deliver the services and projects expected by our community”.

Council staff will review community submissions and report their findings during the June council meeting.

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