The consultation follows consideration by Council and will be conducted in line with the Local Government Act and the NSW Government’s Special Rate Variation guidelines.
These guidelines are administered by IPART, which require councils to exhibit proposals, demonstrate community awareness, clearly explain impacts and consider all feedback before making a decision.
Blacktown City Mayor, Brad Bunting, said Council was committed to making the process open and accessible.
“We will publish the facts, hold community forums and local pop-up sessions, and mail information directly to households and business owners. We want every resident and business to have the opportunity to see the full picture and have their say,” Mayor Bunting said.
What consultation involves
Over the 42 days, residents and businesses can:
- Review detailed information on the proposal, including how funds would be used.
- Attend community forums and seven local pop-up sessions across the City to ask questions directly of Councillors and staff
- Access information and provide feedback via a dedicated Have Your Say page on Council’s website
- Respond through direct mail, email and make a written submission.
- All feedback and findings will be formally reported back to Council before a final decision is made on whether to apply to IPART for the Special Rate Variation.
What the Special Rate Variation proposal covers
Maintaining and renewing ageing assets and infrastructure such as roads, playgrounds, stormwater drainage and community facilities
Operating and maintaining new or enhanced community, shared spaces built with NSW Government funding, including pools, libraries and community hubs, which require more than $28M each year to staff and operate
A small contribution toward two new public administration centres in Blacktown and Rooty Hill to replace outdated and overcrowded offices, ensuring staff can continue delivering services efficiently across the city.
What it means for most
For most households on the minimum residential rate, the change would be an increase of $3.29 per week in 2026/27, made up of the standard IPART rate peg increase of $1.10 and a proposed Special Rate Variation of $2.19.
Of that total, nine cents per week would go toward the new public administration centres, with the remainder funding additional asset maintenance and renewal and new or upgraded community facilities.
For most smaller businesses, the increase would apply over two years – 15% in 2026/27 and 8.5% in 2027/28, while most larger businesses have different rateable categories.
“Blacktown City Council has delivered 20 consecutive balanced budgets, consistently positive independent audits, and major projects delivered on time and on budget. Council last applied for a Special Rate Variation more than a decade ago.
"At that time, total community assets were valued at $3.87B. Since then, Council has invested more than $265M in renewing those assets, keeping the renewal backlog growth to $108M from $80M, even as our overall asset base has expanded significantly with the growth of the city,” Mayor Bunting said
