Dear Residents,
A letter has been sent to Breakfast Point Property owners advising them that the City of Canada Bay Council has made application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a Special Rate Variation. The application is on public exhibition from 10 February until 3 March 2023.
The special variation is for an increase of 32.5% over a four-year period, commencing 2023/24 with yearly increases being;
2023/24 – 15.49% (including the rate peg)
2024/25 – 4.81% (including the rate peg)
2025/26 – 4.69% (including the rate peg)
2026/27 – 4.58% (including rate peg)
This intended increase also includes progressively increasing the current minimum rate of $761.71 to $1,108.07 in 2026/27. This represents an increase of 45.47%.
Whilst the minimum rate increase and SRV is understood and is reasonable in principle, the Council has not considered a community like Breakfast Point that funds public infrastructure. The impact on these residents is significant with the minimum rate increase, SRV and most Community Association’s would also concurrently be increasing their levies to fund their infrastructure maintenance and renewals.
It is inequitable for the blanket approach of a rate increase without the consideration of what communities like Breakfast Point save the Council in cost and responsibility, and the significant cost that the residents of these communities are already paying to enable this.
Next Steps
The public exhibition period closes on Friday 3rd March 2023. This is the last and final opportunity for ratepayers to provide feedback in relation to the Council proposal.
Here is a detailed ‘How to make a submission’ step by step process to help you make the process as quick and simple as possible. I would encourage you to take the time to make a submission, either through the drat response provided or in your own words.
Whilst the Community Association is submitting comprehensive feedback as well, this will register as one submission only. The more submissions outlining the inequity in the approach for Breakfast Point owners the better will have greater impact. We encourage all owners to make a submission.
Yours sincerely,
Kim Radford
General Manager
Breakfast Point Community Association DP270347
