Tim James does not rate North Sydney Council, and the feeling is (kinda) mutual

North Sydney Mayor Zoë Baker has not reacted positively to her council being described by Willoughby MP Tim James as lazy, out of touch and financially incompetent.

As North Sydney Council grapples with the mammoth challenge of trying to balance the books while maintaining services, James took the opportunity on Tuesday afternoon to hurl a few insults towards the council chambers on Miller Street.

Last month, North Sydney Council submitted an application to independent state regulator  IPART, seeking to increase rates by 52 percent over three years.

“Council’s proposal reflects a lazy and out-of-touch approach from a council unwilling to do the hard work required to repair its budget and live within its means,” James said. 

“Instead, hardworking residents and small businesses are being treated as a cash cow and a quick fix for Council’s financial mismanagement.”

James said he will be making a submission during the public consultation period “on behalf of our community, making clear that a large and permanent increase in rates of this scale has not been justified and cannot be accepted…”.

Mayor responds: Baker said “it’s really disappointing the state member would make a comment without really understanding all the council has been doing over the course of the last three years…”. 

“He has not once sought a meeting to be briefed on exactly what the council has been doing,” Baker told the Lorikeet. “It would be much more constructive if our State MPs were part of the solution instead of playing party politics.”

Baker suggested James was merely getting into campaign mode ahead of the state election in March 2027.

• “We’re already in the beginning of the silly season,” Baker said.

Councillor Shannon Welch told the Lorikeet that residents were willing to pay more for improved services and infrastructure. 

Opposition on council: Councillor James Spencely described James’ assessment as  “entirely accurate” and said council should sell assets before applying for higher rates.