Have Your Say Waverley | Latest Forum Topics/News Articles

Funding Council services to 2022 community consultation - next steps

Waverley Administrator — 2010-11-03 08:47:43 +1100

Thank you very much to everyone who took the opportunity to have a say about this very important topic.

The formal community consultation ran from 1 August to 31 October and so the consultation forum is no longer open for posting comments. However, Council will continue to use this site – as well as Council's own website, mayoral pages in the local media and community newsletters – to keep residents up to date with the results and outcomes of the consultation.

If you would like to read the comments that were posted - or would like to access the fact sheets, frequently asked questions and other reference material provided by Council during the consultation - simply go straight to the archived forum on this site.

The results of the community consultation will be collated and form the basis of a Report to Council which is expected to be discussed by Councillors and staff at the 14 December Council meeting. A copy of this report will be posted to Council's website www.waverley.nsw.gov.au a few days prior to the Council meeting.

Council will need to decide before the end of 2010:
a) whether it will submit an application to the State Government for a special variation to rates to cover its shortfalls on service provision from 2011/12 onwards; or
b) whether Council will just implement the State Government's annual rate increase and cut services to balance the budget.

Cr Sally Betts
Mayor of Waverley

Community consultation on preferred options for funding Council’s services over the next 12 years is now in its final stages

Waverley Administrator — 2010-10-08 14:59:38 +1100

This month we are holding two ‘Have a Say Days’ and a detailed information session so you can have your questions answered face-to-face and provide us with your views on this important issue. I really encourage everyone to attend.

We are holding a Have a Say Day on Sunday 10 October, 11am-3pm at Bondi Park, Bondi Beach (opposite Hall Street) and Saturday 16 October, 11am-3pm at Oxford Street Mall, Bondi Junction. Or come along to the information session on Wednesday 20 October, 6.30-8pm at Council Chambers where there will be a presentation and you can have your questions answered personally by myself and the Director of Technical and Corporate Services, Bronwyn Kelly.

It’s really important to us that you have all the information you need so you can provide us with input and help guide us in the decision we need to make.

The next year is extremely important for Council as we, and the community, decide how to fund our broad range of services and to what level. It is very important you have your say on whether Council should consider applying for a special rate variation as a way to increase its income.

If you haven’t already please take the time to read the information in our online forum on this site, come along to one of our consultation days and provide us your feedback before Sunday 31 October 2010.

Your feedback will have a big effect on Council's final recommendation.

Cr Sally Betts
Mayor of Waverley

How would you like Council to fund your future services? Have your say here ...

Waverley Administrator — 2010-07-25 19:49:50 +1000

Waverley Council is seeking feedback from the community on preferred options for funding Council’s services in the next 12 years.

Have your say and share your views in the 'Funding Council Services into 2022' online discussion forum.

Over the next 12 years the cost of providing existing Council services is projected to rise by 50%, yet our overall income is set to rise by just 31%.

Council spent the last year consulting the community to develop a strategic plan - known as Waverley Together 2. This plan sets out the community's vision of what life should be like in 2022.

It's clear that with our current income sources we won't be able to make everything in that vision a reality as we don't have the funds.

Specifically, in the next decade we will need to find another $125 million just to cover existing services and a further $99 million for the enhanced service levels requested by the community.

Waverley Council has, over several years, found alternative income and cost savings to reduce the burden on ratepayers and residents, keeping our average rates among the lowest in NSW. However, rates now fund less than 28% of existing services and it is estimated by 2022 that will drop to just 25%. This is not sustainable.

Council is considering a range of options to fund these shortfalls, with a special rate variation as one option. If approved by the NSW State Government, this would achieve the community's long-term vision with small and incremental rate rises over seven years. But first we want to know what you think.

I encourage you to give us your feedback through the forum that we have set up on this site as part of the consultation process. Your feedback will have a big effect on Council's final recommendation.