Under the Increase Services and Infrastructure option, from 1 July 2024 rates will increase by 20% (including via a Special Rate Variation application to the NSW Government).

Under this option, in addition to delivering all the outcomes in Option 3 (Increase Services), Council will also be able to set aside an additional $2.5m for priority community infrastructure, particularly infrastructure which supports a healthy, active and connected population and caters for future growth needs.

This could include funding, for example, to upgrade sports pavilions, cycling and walking paths and parks and playground facilities, complete the Dougherty Centre upgrade or close the funding gap needed to build the Gore Hill Indoor Sports Centre.

To reduce impacts on ratepayers (if Council decided to seek this rate rise) Council will commit to find $1m worth of cost-cutting and $1m worth of new revenue sources in 2024/25. Without these commitments, the rate increase could be 3.7% higher.

Average rate changes in 2024/25 under the Increase Services and Infrastructure option


ResidentialBusiness (general)Business (CBD)

YearlyWeeklyYearlyWeeklyYearlyWeekly

Existing average rate in 2023/24		$1,088$20.92$6,524$125.46$7,803$150.05
Increase due to rate peg (estimated 3.5%)$38$0.73$228$4.38$273$5.25
Increase due to SRV (estimated 16.5%)$180$3.46$1,077$20.70$1,288$24.76
Total increase for 20% rate rise$218$4.19$1,305$25.09$1,561$30.01
Average rate in 2024/25$1,306$25.1$7,829$150.6$9,364$180.1


The above table shows proposed rate changes in 2024/25, which would be built into the rate base and therefore stay in place permanently and increase in subsequent years in line with the NSW Government rate peg only.

Download this table to find out more.

Projected Operating Results under Increase Services and Infrastructure option

Under this option, Council will be able to generate surpluses averaging $5.05m in the nine years to 2032/33.

This will allow Council to withstand future financial shocks and, if these shocks do not eventuate, instead use these surpluses (total $45m over nine years) for community services and projects, alongside with a dedicated additional $2m a year for public area maintenance and dedicated $2.5m a year for new community infrastructure.

Advantages and disadvantages of this option

Below are the perceived advantages and disadvantages of the Increase Services and Infrastructure option.

AdvantagesDisadvantages
  • Catch-up from 12.1% inflation increase losses over the last two years
  • Continue to deliver highly valued services to the community
  • Delivers surpluses in all nine years between 2024/25 and 2032/33, with an average annual surpluses of $5.05m. These surpluses, subject to future financial shocks, could be re-invested in community services and projects
  • Increase responsiveness to resident and business enquiries
  • Increase Council’s ability to absorb future financial, extreme weather and growth shocks
  • Provide capacity to maintain and renew community assets
  • Provide a stable work environment for staff attraction and retention
  • Allocate an additional $2 million a year to allow Council to invest in additional cleaning, care and beautification projects in parks, cycling and walking routes and town centres, and planting programs to boost Council’s urban tree canopy.
  • Allocate an additional $2.5 million a year to accelerate community infrastructure. This could include funding, for example, to upgrade sports pavilions, cycling and walking paths and parks and playground facilities, complete the Dougherty Centre upgrade or close the funding gap needed to build the Gore Hill Indoor Sports Centre.

  • Rates will increase at a level higher than the NSW Government rate peg.