North Sydney Sun June 2021 issue

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Defenders of cycleway ramp push back * Exetel sold * Luna Park set to re-open

June 2021/Issue 4

News and views for North Sydney’s residential and business communities

www.northsydneysun.com.au

New faces mobilise to challenge incumbents at North Sydney Council’s September 4 elections A raft of new independents are seeking election to North Sydney Council buoyed by changes to ward boundaries which reduce the quota required for election. At the same time, the larger electorates are expected to encourage ticket voting, prompting Labor candidates to run under the party’s moniker. Among the challengers are one of the area’s most successful tech entrepreneurs and a leading light of the local social media scene. North Sydney Sun can reveal that James Spenceley is running for St Leonard Ward. Spenceley is well known for his technology industry successes: he founded Australia’s fourth largest telco Vocus Communications and is currently the chair of AirTasker and Swoop Telecom. “We need a better culture on council, less of the politics and personality issues,” he told the Sun. “We can be more productive. We can deploy technology at council to help with consultations. People with young families who work in the area and don’t have time to

Candidates running for North Sydney Council for the first time include (from left to right) James Mullan and Elle Prevost (Cammeraygal), and James Spenceley (St Leonards)

attend council meetings feel a little lost. We have this great technology in your pocket and with an app it could be one click to watch a meeting or provide a view on an issue.” To the south in Cammeraygal ward, Elle Prevost is also throwing her hat into the ring. She is well known in the

area as the administrator of the Cremorne/Neutral Bay and Wollstonecraft and Waverton Community Facebook groups, which collectively have 14,000 members, providing her with an important equaliser against incumbents with high profiles. Prevost said: “North Sydney Council

is ready for a fresh team to work in a respectful, cohesive manner, and ensure the needs of the community come first. We are already working in collaboration with community leaders and other teams also running for election Continued on page 2

North Sydney Council into surplus for 2022 as funds direct toward Olympic Pool revamp North Sydney Council has announced a return to surplus in its 2021/22 budget with the signature re-development of the Olympic Pool to proceed on schedule. However, some other projects have been put on the backburner as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Council general manager Ken Gouldthorp said $79.2 million has been allocated from the upcoming budget for capital works, with infrastructure renewals making up $71.1 million of that total. “This is the final year of the special rate variation which has allowed Council to invest in infrastructure renewal. If the Council stays on course .., it can expect a modest surplus of $5.27 million in the 2021/22 financial year.” The largest item of spending is a $48 million allocation for the Olympic Poll. “Our North Sydney Olympic Pool is a much-loved and well-used local facility. Along with the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Luna Park, it is a national and international icon,” mayor Jilly Gibson told the Sun. “The pool is rich in historical and cultural signifi-

Mayor Jilly Gibson

cance. After 84 years the pool was nearing the end of its useful life – the pool structure, concourse and grandstand had concrete cancer and Council had an obligation to all pool users to act quickly. I am pleased that the new design preserves the heritage features our community loves while bringing the pool up to contemporary standards. The new aquatic facility will have something for everyone.” The pool is being funded by a mix of special grant allocations and borrowings. The return to surplus after a $2.4m loss this year is partly fuelled by a 7%

rise in rates and 1.5% in user fees and charges. This is delivering over $7m of additional revenues to Council for 2021/2, with revenues expected to come in at $149.7m, up 30%, and expenses at $121m, up 6%. Capital grants have also increased $20m to $24m, recorded on the top line. In turn, around $22m of the resulting surplus is allocated for the Olympic Pool and Hume St Plaza developments. However, the pandemic continues to have an impact on revenues. “The revenue streams most affected were on and off-street parking fees, property rental, North Sydney Olympic Pool fees and outdoor dining fees,” said Gibson. “The Bradfield Park upgrade, resurfacing of the North Sydney Oval and creating a new accessible entrance at Stanton Library are some of the projects that have had their funding reduced or placed on hold due to the pandemic reducing Council revenue.” Gibson also said that while the council plans to collect an additional $4m from rates this year, North Sydney

is still comparatively lightly taxed compared to peer councils. “Rate rises are never popular, but our residents expect us to make responsible fiscal decisions and keep our service levels high,” Gibson explained. “A special rate variation was considered the most responsible course of action in 2019 and I have had very little negative feedback from our residents.” “We had a pressing need to renew essential infrastructure and get working a backlog of assets such as marine structures, retaining walls, drainage, footpaths and roads. This is the final year of the three-year SRV and our area is in a lot better shape for it,” she added. “It is a well-known fact that our rates are lower than our neighbouring municipalities including Mosman, Willoughby and Lane Cove. Even after the increase, North Sydney Council’s minimum rate is still in the bottom third of rates when compared with other councils in the Sydney metropolitan area. Over 73% of our ratepayers pay the minimum rate.”


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