A Sydney council is under fire after narrowly voting to approve a rate rise of nearly 40 per cent at a turbulent meeting last night.Northern Beaches council approved the major rate increase of 39.6 per cent by a single vote, despite the protest of about 200 residents who attended the meeting.Councillor Vincent De Luca, who voted against the increase, called on the state government to impose "proper regulation" on salaries and benefits for local government.
Protesters call on Northern Beaches Council to not vote in favour of a 40 per cent rate hike. (Today)"So on the Northern Beaches Council, we have 111 executives," he told Today."They cost over $25 million and $3.3 million is spent every year on their vehicles."He claimed staff wages cost $170 million a year.Northern Beaches resident Stuart Gold, who established the Northern Beaches People's Voice group on Facebook, said "thousands" of locals had been involved in the campaign against the hike.
Critics say the increase is too much. (Today)"We have campaigned heavily with councillors trying to get them to recognise the voice of the people rather than the voice of the council," he told Today."So there'll be a lot of very disappointed people this morning."De Luca also accused Mayor Sue Heins of adopting an "abusive, accusatory" tone regarding the protesters."Unfortunately the intimidatory conduct of certain councillors last night toward those poor residents in the gallery was simply despicable," he told 2GB's Ben Fordham.The suburbs where house prices have doubled in less than four yearsView GalleryThe Sydney Morning Herald reported that the meeting was halted on several occasions due to the disruption.The proposed rate increase will now be forwarded to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal for review.9news.com.au has contacted Northern Beaches Council for comment.
