Randwick Mayor Philipa Veitch has today, 15 May 2024, welcomed an IPART decision to permit council to continue its highly successful Environmental Levy.

The Sustaining our City Environmental Levy has been in place for the past 20 years delivering important environmental initiatives like Coastal Walkway upgrades, sustainability rebates and cleaner beaches, but was due to expire on 30 June 2024.

“I welcome IPART’s announcement today that Randwick Council’s application for an 11.67% rate increase (made up of 6.77% to continue the environmental levy and a 4.9% rate peg).

“Importantly, the actual increase in real terms for ratepayers is only the rate peg of 4.9%, as the Environmental Levy is already in place.

“We know the rising cost of living is putting pressure on many households and we’re working hard to keep rates low while still delivering the essential services people expect.

“Local governments are at the frontline of dealing with many of the impacts of climate change including natural disasters but have the least resources to cope with the impacts.

“They are responsible for 25 per cent of Australia’s high value infrastructure assets, but receive only a four per cent share of public sector revenue – and we continue to suffer from cost-shifting from state and federal governments.”

“Continuing the Environmental Levy will enable Council to continue delivering rebates that are currently saving households $1M annually on energy bills, build new sections of Coastal Walkway and take meaningful action to address climate change by switching to renewables, conserving water and increasing our urban tree canopy coverage,” Mayor Veitch said.

In late 2023 and early 2024, Council consulted with the community about the Environmental Levy and found general support.

An independent telephone survey of 750 random and representative residents of the Randwick City community found 77% of respondents supportive while a survey sent to every ratepayer in Randwick City found 55% of the 7,639 respondents supportive.

For the average residential ratepayer, the annual levy makes up about $101 of their rates bill or about $1.95 per week.

FACT SHEETS

Proposed Environmental Levy projects

More information: www.yoursay.randwick.nsw.gov.au/envirolevy2024

Media enquiries

Joshua Hay – 0402 351 459 or joshua.hay@randwick.nsw.gov.au