Sutherland Shire average residential rates will only rise by 1.5 per cent in 2015-16.
This is well within the 2.4 per cent rate pegging limit set by the Independent Pricing Review Tribunal.
‘‘This is a result of the financial discipline we have introduced and a fairer spreading of the rate burden,’’ mayor Kent Johns said at the council meeting last night, Monday, April 20.
The total permissible amount raised by rates in 2015-16 will be $111,858,650 compared to $109,164,365 in 2014-15.
Some residential rates may increase above the CPI based on the recent land valuations released by the NSW Valuer General which resulted in some dramatic increases in the shire.
But how the council’s rating receipts are divided up between residential, business and other ratepayer categories could lessen the burden on residential ratepayers, allowing residential rates to be reduced to 1.5 per cent.
Fees and charges will be increased by a minimum of 2.7 per cent in most cases.
‘‘It’s a balanced budget,’’ Cr Johns said
‘‘The special rate levy introduced by the previous council will not return.
‘‘The budget will be maintained within rate-pegging. ‘‘The average residential rate will not exceed the CPI.
‘‘The council’s debt reduction targets will be retained.
‘‘The budget will place greater emphasis on asset renewals — $23.225 million in 2014-15 and $25.664 million in 2015-16.
‘‘Reform savings will be ongoing.’’
There will be a $42.7 million program of capital works in the 2015-16 budget which includes $1.776 million for leisure centre upgrades.
Other projects:
$11.387 million for road surface and kerb-and-gutter upgrades.
$1.27 million for stormwater quality improvement.
$1 million for footpath construction.
$3.345 million on passive reserves and park upgrades.
More than $7 million will be spent on sports field upgrades and capital works.
The council hopes to receive a $4.135 million funding boost to the 2015-16 budget after its voluntary planning agreement with SITA Australia for the expansion of the Lucas Heights waste resources recovery station.
This is still subject to state government approval.
The council has allocated funding for capital works from SITA Australia including Sutherland Entertainment Centre upgrade ($350,000), a new Illawong Men’s Shed ($140,000), Kareela sports field amenities upgrade ($1 million) and a Sylvania shopping centre upgrade master plan ($625,000).
‘‘The over-riding direction of the council this term is to address the infrastructure backlog, renew and maintain our community infrastructure and reduce the cost of our operations so that maximum funds are available for the services and projects that our community needs,’’ Cr Johns said.
‘‘This budget achieves these objectives.’’
The draft budget goes on public display tomorrow, Wednesday, April 22, and people have until 5pm, Tuesday, May 19, to comment.
The final version will be adopted at a special council meeting on Monday, May 25.
See the Leader on Thursday for more details.
What do you think of the draft 2015-16 budget?