SUBURBS OF NEGLECT
SUBURBS OF NEGLECT
The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has today confirmed that it will oppose the extension to the Central Coast Council Special Rate Variation being sought through IPART which effectively extends the approved three year rate rise of the further seven years.
“The Chamber will be making written submissions to the Indepentant Pricing & Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) opposing Councils request the extend the special rate increase that effectively subjects ratepayers in the south of the Central Coast LGA to rate hikes for 10 years”, said Peninsula Chamber President Matthew Wales.
“This is particulary unacceptable when we are told by the Council that the rate hike is necessary to simply maintain existing services and that no new works will be undertaken in the foreseeable future”.
“Effectively, ratepayers in the south will be slugged an extra 30% to 40% over the next 10 years but get absolutely nothing for it”, said Matthew Wales.
“It is the Chambers view that this is an over simplistic solution to the Council’s $565M debt problem as opposed to a more responsible approach to paying down its debt obligations”.
“This comes at a time when suburbs like those on the Peninsula are falling into neglect with our local road network lacking kerb and gutter, stormwater drainage and footpaths. Roads are potholed and crumbling before our eyes”, said Matthew Wales.
“It is an absolute embarrassment that the Peninsula, which is one hour from Australia’s premier City of Sydney, has 70% of roads without kerb and gutter and drainage”.
“On top of this, our town centres of Umina Beach, Ettalong Beach and Woy Woy are barely being maintianed by Central Coast Council where we are now being told that maintenance services will be further slashed due to Council’s financial woes”, said Matthew Wales.
“To add insult to injury, our beachfronts are a disgrace with weed infested dune areas, eroding shorelines and substandard surf club carparks and forescourt areas”, said Matthew Wales.
“And we shouldn’t forget our overgrown parks and reserves, neglected streets riddled with weeds and potholed roads”.
“Rather than take the easy road, the Chamber wants the Council to think more laterally than simply slugging the ratepayer for more money. The issue is broader than simply hiking up the rates”, said Matthew Wales.
“The Council should be further investigating the sale of surplus land and assets rather than capping those sales at the $60M threshhold required by the bank. If the land or asset is not productive or useful, sell it off and pay down the Council debt”.
“The Chamber also believes that the Council should sell off the Central Coast Water Authority which potentially could raise $3.5 Billion”, said Matthew Wales.
“That money should go directly to paying down Council’s $565M debt and the balance placed in a FUTURE FUND to finance Council’s operations into the future and kerb and gutter, drain and pave the streets of the Peninsula”.
“Peninsula residents have had enough of being Council’s cash cow and getting nothing in return”, said Matthew Wales.
“We have waited long enough for improved roads, services and community facilities. Nothing for the next ten years is simply unacceptable”.
END
Matthew Wales
President of the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
0415 634 232