Knives out at North Sydney: Councillors determine new path forward after 87% rate rise rejection

There was tense air in the North Sydney council chambers on Monday evening, the first gathering of the council since the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) rejected its controversial 87% rate hike. 

The most significant motion of the night, discussed at length, was regarding the new plan council would put forward in light of IPART’s decision. This included drafts for both a revised operational plan and delivery program to go on public exhibition for a period of community consultation.

The motion was only passed, however, after a period of fiery back and forth between councillors for and against the initial rate rise, accompanied by various accusations of responsibility for the setbacks brought by North Sydney Olympic Pool.

Councillor Jessica Keen, a critic of the rate rise, spoke to the motion, thanking the residents of North Sydney for “standing up for what you believe in … I think we all agree it was way too high.” Before finishing, Keen shot an accusation toward Mayor Zoë Baker and Councillor MaryAnn Beregi regarding the mismanagement of North Sydney Olympic Pool. 

Councillor James Spenceley, who also voted alongside Keen against the rate rise, shared a similar sentiment. 

“What a mess. Blind Freddy could tell you that the SRV (Special Rate Variation) was not going to go through … what we need is a concrete plan”

Speaking to IPART’s decision, Spenceley went on to state that “Every other council … got what they asked for. At some point we have to turn around and look internally and say it was us. We didn't do a good job. Not IPART. We’re the only council not to get anything. Why? Because we put in an application that literally made no sense.”

Councillor Nicole Antonini, who voted in favour of proposing the rate rise, defended the decision, and accused the three councillors who opposed it as having “run a campaign of fearmongering and misinformation”. 

Deputy Mayor Godfrey Santer also defended the initial proposal, stating that “It would appear that it is of no concern to some that this council's rates are half those levied by Mosman, Willoughby and Kuringgai councils, and a quarter of those levied by the Northern Beaches and Orange councils.”

Councillor Shannon Welch spoke to the practical effects IPART’s decision would have through this new plan. 

“Tonight we are faced with the very real consequences of the recent IPART determination” Welch stated. 

“This includes reducing strategic actions, cutting costs, scaling back services, deferring infrastructure renewal, and adopting a more aggressive approach to generating non rate income.”

Angus Hoy echoed Welch’s remarks. “We made a plan based on an assumption that we would have that SRV granted.” He stated. “That plan now must change.”

“The result is going to be hits to staffing, services, or asset sales … Lets stop the sniping and the gloating and get on with the job we were elected to do”

The motion to display the revised operational plan and delivery program was passed, with dissent from Councillors Keen, Spenceley and Carr.