Council decides all ratepayers should help pay for removal of Cronulla CBD special rates levy

The council voted 10-4 in support of a staff recommendation to add about 12c a week, or $6.46 a year, to the approved rate-pegging rise of 2 per cent in 2021-22.

Individual rates will vary, but the average increase will be about 2.05 per cent.

The move is compliant with the IPART rate peg of a total rate yield increase of two per cent.

The measure will be included in the draft budget and operational plan, which will be publicly exhibited before a final decision.

Staff were earlier asked for other ways to make up for losing about $600,000 a year by removing the Cronulla CBD levy, which was introduced in the 1980s, initially to promote the mall.

The staff said other options would include permanently increasing user fees and charges, or permanently reducing capital expenditure.