Party lines drawn over rate rise

Waverley Council is locked in a loggerheads dispute over a proposed increase in rates to address a financial shortfall that has both major parties pointing the finger at each other.

Liberal Mayor Sally Betts and Liberal councillor Tony Kay moved to publish a Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) that would see rates rise at least 5.99 per cent for seven years starting in the 2011/12 financial year.

Only Labor councillors John Wakefield, Ingrid Strewe and Rose Jackson voted against the motion. Cr Wakefield said the proposed rise was to make up for financial losses incurred by the mayor.

“”Mayor Betts has really dropped the ball. She is now searching for a solution to council’s impending finance collapse by slugging ratepayers,” Cr Wakefield said.

“Waverley Council will go into the red during the 2011/12 financial year and remain there every year thereafter if no rate increase is achieved.

“Even worse for Waverley residents, the increase of 5.99 per cent for seven years is only a minimum requirement to provide basic services without any improvement in either service provision or capital improvements like better footpaths, safer roads, and greener public spaces.”

But Mayor Betts said the council’s current financial situation was a result of Labor’s poor management of infrastructure over the years.

“Our infrastructure was completely neglected by the Labor-controlled council for the last twenty years,” she said.

“That is why we need the rate increase now and for the Labor councillors to now vote against this rate rise is irresponsible. The blame lays squarely on their shoulders.”

The Long Term Financial Plan 2 document is on display at the Waverley Council website: http://www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/11372/LTFP2.pdf

– By Liam Kinkead