BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT BCI 55 October 2025 | Seite 5

LOCAL LIFE

Community consultation on rates proposal begins

Blacktown City Council has launched a 42-day community consultation, which began on 15 September, to gather feedback on its proposed Special Rate Variation( SRV).

The consultation process follows the requirements of the Local Government Act and the NSW Government’ s Special Rate Variation guidelines, administered by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal( IPART).

These guidelines require councils to exhibit proposals, raise community awareness, clearly explain impacts, and consider all feedback before making a final decision.

Mayor Brad Bunting said Council is committed to ensuring the process is 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 the consultation involves Over the 42 days, residents and businesses can:

• Review detailed information about the proposal and 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 Council’ s Have Your Say webpage.

• Respond through direct mail, email, or by

making a written submission.

All feedback will be formally reported to Council before a decision is made on whether to apply to IPART for the SRV.

The proposed Special Rate Variation would:

• Fund the maintenance and renewal of ageing assets such as roads, playgrounds, stormwater drainage, and community facilities.

• Support the ongoing operation of new or upgraded spaces built with NSW Government funding such as pools, libraries, and community hubs costing more than $ 28 million annually to staff and operate.

• Contribute toward the construction of two new public administration centres in Blacktown and Rooty Hill, replacing outdated and overcrowded offices to ensure services can be delivered efficiently across the city.

What it means for most ratepayers Households: For most residents on the minimum rate, the increase would be $ 3.29 per week in 2026 / 27, comprising:

• $ 1.10( standard IPART rate peg increase)

• $ 2.19( proposed SRV).

Of that, just 49 cents per week would fund the new administration centres, with the rest going toward asset maintenance and community facilities.

Businesses: For most smaller businesses, rates would increase by 15 % in 2026 / 27 and 8.5 % in 2027 / 28. Larger businesses would fall under different rateable categories.

A record of financial responsibility

Mayor Bunting highlighted Council’ s track record:

• 20 consecutive balanced budgets.

• Consistently positive independent audits.

• Major projects delivered on time and on budget.

• Only one SRV application in the past decade.

At that time, community assets were valued at $ 3.87 billion. Since then, Council has invested more than $ 265 million in renewing assets, limiting backlog growth to $ 108 million( up from $ 80 million), even as the city’ s asset base has grown significantly with population expansion.

“ 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.

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BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au ISSUE 55 // OCTOBER 2025 5