Consultation starts on rates harmonisation for Cumberland

Cumberland City Council has started work on harmonising its rates structure, with public consultation set to begin on Friday, 20 March 2020.

20 Mar 2020 - General news

Cumberland City Council has started work on harmonising its rates structure, with public consultation set to begin on Friday, 20 March 2020.

Council’s General Manager, Hamish McNulty said that in accordance with State Government requirements all existing rates structures have been maintained following the merger of three councils in 2016 (Holroyd, Auburn and a significant part of Parramatta Council).

“Cumberland has been maintaining three different systems since the merger in 2016 and in line with the Local Government Act, we are now required to harmonise our rates into a single structure,” Mr McNulty said.

“This process will deliver much-needed reform to our rates structure and ensure that as a Council we can maintain the same level of service and existing and new public assets and infrastructure.”

Mr McNulty said a growing gap has emerged between the funding that Cumberland receives from rate payers and the funding that is needed to maintain infrastructure and services.

“When boundaries were drawn up in 2016, Cumberland missed out on revenue that would have come from rate paying businesses in the Auburn industrial area and Sydney Olympic Park, Newington and Wentworth Point.

“Despite this, Cumberland has been expected to maintain the same service level for an additional 40,000 residents.

“Based on the rates structures we inherited from the merger, some residents and businesses have been paying higher rates and have been carrying a greater financial burden than other parts of the LGA. We need to address this.”

Council will be writing to 70,389 residential ratepayers and 4,369 business owners providing further information on rates harmonisation, as well as holding online and telephone surveys.

“Council is yet to form a position on the preferred option to harmonise rates but we will be working closely with residents and businesses in each of our wards to ensure a fair outcome and that we have their input,” Mr McNulty said.

“All rate payers are encouraged to provide their feedback to Council or find out more by visiting our website.”

Consultation on the first round options closes on Monday 1 June 2020.

Following council elections in September this year, Council will undertake a second round of consultation before new rates are to be adopted in June 2021.