What's happening in North Shore?

People power wins as IPART rejects North Sydney Council rate hike

Published on 15 May 2025

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Residents and businesses across North Sydney will breathe a sigh of relief today after IPART (the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal) rejected North Sydney Council’s egregious 87% cash grab in full.

Member for North Shore, Felicity Wilson MP, welcomed the decision by IPART and gave credit to the thousands of locals who spoke out against the financial recklessness of Council and their failure to listen to the community.

“This decision is a win for people power and a clear verdict on the overreach of North Sydney Council, who ignored the voices and the needs of our community, while arrogantly pursuing a shopping list of new pet projects at the expense of those who could least afford it.”

“In a cost-of-living crisis, North Sydney Council ignored the pleas of residents and small businesses already stretched to the limit. IPART’s decision validates locals’ objections and concerns with Council’s bungled process.”

“North Sydney Council will now need to go back to the drawing board and start a new financial plan from scratch – one that listens to and represents the needs of the community.”

“It’s clear that the financial plans of Council are not sustainable – and staunching the bleeding from the ongoing North Sydney Olympic Pool debacle should now be the number one focus for councillors.”

Ms Wilson thanked the residents who shared their personal stories with her to ensure the independent regulator could reflect community concerns.

“When North Sydney Council pushed through consultation over Christmas and the school holidays, panicked residents contacted me in droves feeling disenfranchised and fearful of the impacts to their lives.”

“When Council ignored the pleas in their own consultation process and the impassioned speeches on the floor of Council, locals told me that they had lost all hope.”

“By sharing thousands of personal stories with me, I was able to ensure their voices were heard by IPART – and together we achieved what many thought was impossible.”

IPART's decision can be read here: https://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/documents/media-release/media-release-ipart-decisions-council-special-variation-applications-16-may-2025