The proposed rate increase went through extensive community consultation. The propose rate increase over the next 3 years was for a 25% increase for households and up to 66% for businesses.
Mayor Cr Brad Bunting made opening remarks before the debate stating the SRV was necessary to secure council’s financial sustainability, and cost shifting from State and federal Governments have impacted on councils on average by $490 per resident.
The Mayor, spoke on the new facilities funding by the State Government Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants (WSIG) of $275M will cost $28M to maintain and he said: "You don’t find that money down the back of the couch.”
Mayor Bunting said. “The additional funding of $2.19 per week will put staff into these places, will help us to turn the lights on and run the pool pumps.”
“If you are saying no to the SRV, I would like you to explain to me where we find the additional funding, what services are we going to cut, do we go ahead and build these facilities if we can’t staff these facilities and trying to keep up the backlog.
Mayor Bunting concluded that “There is no Plan B” if the SRV doesn’t proceed.
The motion for the SRV was proposed by Cr Griffiths.
Cr Pradeep Pathi opposed the SRV. “Community has rejected this and we should respect it. Communication was not clear. 3,800 submission and majority opposed it.
“Cost of living, mortgage stress and pension hardship. We need to listen.
“Businesses are already paying 22% above the surrounding LGAs per sqm and asking businesses to pay up to 66% more in rates.
“We have $900m and we should find alternatives instead of penalizing residents and businesses.”
Cr Peter Camilleri opposed the SRV.
“Whilst I see community benefit for backlog reduction strategies and WSIG projects, but I object to being held over a barrel that I can’t have those unless I approve the SRV for the new [administration] buildings that I have objected to from day one.
“Why do we put in a policy that reduces jobs in the area with the rate rise. Get rid of 10,000 jobs [across Blacktown LGA] and create 4,500 in the CBD new development.
Cr Camilleri recalled the last local government elections “Liberals said, if you allow Labor to get up, your rates will go up.
But Labor said they [Liberals] are lying.”
“Greens said that they cut the cost of using council assets and a council that listens and respects residents’ opinions and take the ideas seriously.”
Cr Moninder Singh supported the SRV.
“There are few things I don’t like but when confronted by the situation you have to make hard decisions that are right for the community. If we got 1% from the federal budget, then we shouldn’t be in this situation and cost shifting of $490 per year.
“All Councils have been suffering. Budget pressures for new parks; additional trucks for the 12 free pick ups; WSIG projects have to be managed. They all have to be paid for. We need a new office, whether you like it or not”
Cr Jugandeep Singh opposed the SRV.
“Lliving costs are going up and not a good idea to put another burden on residents.”
Cr Carol Israel Deputy Mayor opposed the SRV.
“It is disheartening that the mayor said there was no Plan B. Every resident and business have a Plan B.”
Cr Isreal spoke on the impact on lower income households in paying their water bills or the cost of putting food onto the table. Businesses will pass on the rate increase onto residents and will impact on businesses with many vacant shops in CBD.
Cr Israel said. “Need to review expenditure and work within budgets.”
Cr Allan Green opposed the SRV. Cr Green spoke of the cost of living impact on residents and the State Government TOD policies will result in additional homes and council will generate more rate income. Council ought to consider AI cost efficiencies and land projects.
Residents from Stanhope Gardens & Glenwood have already suffered an 16% increase due to land revaluations.
“We shouldn’t be imposing an additional rate burden on resident, the previous council need to accept responsibility of their bad decisions in voting for the sale [CBD civic lands] and look at other alternatives.”
Cr Mohit Kumar opposed the SRV. “Why are we here today, why did we sell assets without a plan B? Money is going to build two office buildings where we find ourselves without accommodation because of the previous sale.
Cr Kumar also said that CPI is increasing, and Reserve Bank will be potentially increasing interest rates making it harder for residents’ cost of living.
Cr Jess Diaz opposed the SRV. Cr Diaz said he “warned of the community backlash for the SRV and anything we do that we must carry the community. Little information on the office accommodation and community not aware. The SRV will cause a lot of anger in the community.
“Let’s go back to a focus on efficiencies, what are we doing, where can we save.”
Cr Damien Atkins supported for SRV. “Every person I has spoken to directly have been supportive. Not one single person asked or wants their services to be cut.”
Cr Atkins pleaded for councillors to think about the future of Blacktown if services are to be cut, “what will the 600,000 plus people who will live here in 20 years’ time, do in our city. They will not be able to do anything because we have cut everything.”
“We are not paying for WSIG program but will have to pay to run it. If we can’t fund these services, then they are going to sit empty or have reduced services. How embarrassing is that?”
Cr Julie Griffiths supported for SRV. Cr Griffiths said she was “very proud to rise to support the SRV and herd 124 councils across this State all talk about the need for special rate variations.
“Top response from the public was infrastructure renewal. If we don’t do the SRV then the backlog will just get bigger and will not be able to fix it.
“People want to have shade clothes in my parks, it costs money, and we are still trying to maintain services, staffing levels, trucks, reserves, footpath, roads, childcare and everything else we are trying to do.”
“Can’t just keep dipping into reserves. If ratepayers want these facilities. ratepayers need to pay.”
Cr Talia Amituanai support for SRV. “My community is very happy with SRV.
“What happen if you don’t support this SRV, simple, as the mayor says, we will cut the services for the community.”
“Plan B is that we will be renting for life.”
Cr Bob Fitzgerald opposed the SRV.
“I am standing up for my community. They did not ask for SRV. I voted against the sale of the land and still stand by it. I will not vote for a SRV that supports building two buildings or one building when we should have had the funds in the first place to support that particular building.”
“I ask about the Leo Kely Art Centre when they asked for 10 more employees, and no one could tell me what those 10 extra staff will be doing.”
Councillors’ Susai Benjamin and Dorothy Del Villar did not enter the debate.
The vote was called for an initially the mayor called it carried on the voices. There was a call for division and the final count was 7-8 and the SRV was lost. The mayor in frustration exclaimed, “The Liberals have taken over and I declare the motion lost.”
