Lord mayor Ross Kerridge hammered for 'broken' election promise in favour of rate rise
HE promised to "target rate increases to no more than CPI", but independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge has voted in favour of a rate increase more than double the current Consumer Price Index of 2.4 per cent.
At this week's council meeting, Labor councillors, who also voted in favour of the rate increase, hammered Cr Kerridge for what they called a "broken" election promise.
One of the policies of Cr Kerridge's hard-fought election campaign was to 'keep rents down by keeping rates low', arguing rates had risen "dramatically" by more than CPI in the last decade under Labor and his predecessor, Nuatali Nelmes.
On Tuesday night, he voted in favour of a 5.1 per cent rate rise, the maximum allowable under the rate peg set by the state's independent pricing watchdog.
Liberal councillors, who made a commitment to freezing rates for the entire four-year term of council, also voted in favour of the rate rise.
Labor councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said the move was a "clear breach of trust" with voters.
"Let's be honest, this is not what people were promised," she said.
"Cr Kerridge repeatedly told the community he would limit rate increases to no more than CPI, and now he's voting for a 5.1 per cent rise.
"I supported this budget because it delivers the projects and services our community needs, but unlike Cr Kerridge, I didn't campaign on freezing rates because I know responsible budgeting matters, and I believe in being upfront with the public."
Our Newcastle was formed in support of Cr Kerridge and fellow independent councillors Mark Brooker and Peter Gittins ahead of the 2024 council elections.
The policy section of the Our Newcastle website commits to 'keeping rents down by keeping rates down', arguing "any increase in rates results in an increase in rent costs".
"Keeping rates low will ensure that renters are not punished unfairly. We will target rate increases to no more than CPI to keep cost-of-living increases minimal," the website said.
"We intend to target rate increases to the lowest level possible to ensure our residents and businesses are not burdened by excessive rate rises."
Cr Kerridge has denied ever claiming he would "freeze" rates and said his promise was to "target" keeping rate rises as low as possible.
"I think all of this behaviour, and there must have been at least I think an hour, if not two hours, spent last night in speeches that are performative and really carrying on with the election campaign, and this theme of singing their praises," he said.
"They've still effectively got control of the chamber, but they're still hurting, and I feel for their grief, but this is what democracy is, and really, they need to get over it and move on with working together, rather than attack, attack, attack.
"It's not impressing anyone."
At Tuesday's meeting, Cr Kerridge quoted economist John Maynard Keynes and said, "When times change, I change my mind".
"You can take that to the next election," he said.
City of Newcastle estimates it will raise about $200 million in rates in 2025/26.
HE promised to "target rate increases to no more than CPI", but independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge has voted in favour of a rate increase more than double the current Consumer Price Index of 2.4 per cent.
At this week's council meeting, Labor councillors, who also voted in favour of the rate increase, hammered Cr Kerridge for what they called a "broken" election promise.
One of the policies of Cr Kerridge's hard-fought election campaign was to 'keep rents down by keeping rates low', arguing rates had risen "dramatically" by more than CPI in the last decade under Labor and his predecessor, Nuatali Nelmes.
On Tuesday night, he voted in favour of a 5.1 per cent rate rise, the maximum allowable under the rate peg set by the state's independent pricing watchdog.
Liberal councillors, who made a commitment to freezing rates for the entire four-year term of council, also voted in favour of the rate rise.
Labor councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said the move was a "clear breach of trust" with voters.
"Let's be honest, this is not what people were promised," she said.
"Cr Kerridge repeatedly told the community he would limit rate increases to no more than CPI, and now he's voting for a 5.1 per cent rise.
"I supported this budget because it delivers the projects and services our community needs, but unlike Cr Kerridge, I didn't campaign on freezing rates because I know responsible budgeting matters, and I believe in being upfront with the public."
Our Newcastle was formed in support of Cr Kerridge and fellow independent councillors Mark Brooker and Peter Gittins ahead of the 2024 council elections.
The policy section of the Our Newcastle website commits to 'keeping rents down by keeping rates down', arguing "any increase in rates results in an increase in rent costs".
"Keeping rates low will ensure that renters are not punished unfairly. We will target rate increases to no more than CPI to keep cost-of-living increases minimal," the website said.
"We intend to target rate increases to the lowest level possible to ensure our residents and businesses are not burdened by excessive rate rises."
Cr Kerridge has denied ever claiming he would "freeze" rates and said his promise was to "target" keeping rate rises as low as possible.
"I think all of this behaviour, and there must have been at least I think an hour, if not two hours, spent last night in speeches that are performative and really carrying on with the election campaign, and this theme of singing their praises," he said.
"They've still effectively got control of the chamber, but they're still hurting, and I feel for their grief, but this is what democracy is, and really, they need to get over it and move on with working together, rather than attack, attack, attack.
"It's not impressing anyone."
At Tuesday's meeting, Cr Kerridge quoted economist John Maynard Keynes and said, "When times change, I change my mind".
"You can take that to the next election," he said.
City of Newcastle estimates it will raise about $200 million in rates in 2025/26.
HE promised to "target rate increases to no more than CPI", but independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge has voted in favour of a rate increase more than double the current Consumer Price Index of 2.4 per cent.
At this week's council meeting, Labor councillors, who also voted in favour of the rate increase, hammered Cr Kerridge for what they called a "broken" election promise.
One of the policies of Cr Kerridge's hard-fought election campaign was to 'keep rents down by keeping rates low', arguing rates had risen "dramatically" by more than CPI in the last decade under Labor and his predecessor, Nuatali Nelmes.
On Tuesday night, he voted in favour of a 5.1 per cent rate rise, the maximum allowable under the rate peg set by the state's independent pricing watchdog.
Liberal councillors, who made a commitment to freezing rates for the entire four-year term of council, also voted in favour of the rate rise.
Labor councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said the move was a "clear breach of trust" with voters.
"Let's be honest, this is not what people were promised," she said.
"Cr Kerridge repeatedly told the community he would limit rate increases to no more than CPI, and now he's voting for a 5.1 per cent rise.
"I supported this budget because it delivers the projects and services our community needs, but unlike Cr Kerridge, I didn't campaign on freezing rates because I know responsible budgeting matters, and I believe in being upfront with the public."
Our Newcastle was formed in support of Cr Kerridge and fellow independent councillors Mark Brooker and Peter Gittins ahead of the 2024 council elections.
The policy section of the Our Newcastle website commits to 'keeping rents down by keeping rates down', arguing "any increase in rates results in an increase in rent costs".
"Keeping rates low will ensure that renters are not punished unfairly. We will target rate increases to no more than CPI to keep cost-of-living increases minimal," the website said.
"We intend to target rate increases to the lowest level possible to ensure our residents and businesses are not burdened by excessive rate rises."
Cr Kerridge has denied ever claiming he would "freeze" rates and said his promise was to "target" keeping rate rises as low as possible.
"I think all of this behaviour, and there must have been at least I think an hour, if not two hours, spent last night in speeches that are performative and really carrying on with the election campaign, and this theme of singing their praises," he said.
"They've still effectively got control of the chamber, but they're still hurting, and I feel for their grief, but this is what democracy is, and really, they need to get over it and move on with working together, rather than attack, attack, attack.
"It's not impressing anyone."
At Tuesday's meeting, Cr Kerridge quoted economist John Maynard Keynes and said, "When times change, I change my mind".
"You can take that to the next election," he said.
City of Newcastle estimates it will raise about $200 million in rates in 2025/26.
HE promised to "target rate increases to no more than CPI", but independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge has voted in favour of a rate increase more than double the current Consumer Price Index of 2.4 per cent.
At this week's council meeting, Labor councillors, who also voted in favour of the rate increase, hammered Cr Kerridge for what they called a "broken" election promise.
One of the policies of Cr Kerridge's hard-fought election campaign was to 'keep rents down by keeping rates low', arguing rates had risen "dramatically" by more than CPI in the last decade under Labor and his predecessor, Nuatali Nelmes.
On Tuesday night, he voted in favour of a 5.1 per cent rate rise, the maximum allowable under the rate peg set by the state's independent pricing watchdog.
Liberal councillors, who made a commitment to freezing rates for the entire four-year term of council, also voted in favour of the rate rise.
Labor councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said the move was a "clear breach of trust" with voters.
"Let's be honest, this is not what people were promised," she said.
"Cr Kerridge repeatedly told the community he would limit rate increases to no more than CPI, and now he's voting for a 5.1 per cent rise.
"I supported this budget because it delivers the projects and services our community needs, but unlike Cr Kerridge, I didn't campaign on freezing rates because I know responsible budgeting matters, and I believe in being upfront with the public."
Our Newcastle was formed in support of Cr Kerridge and fellow independent councillors Mark Brooker and Peter Gittins ahead of the 2024 council elections.
The policy section of the Our Newcastle website commits to 'keeping rents down by keeping rates down', arguing "any increase in rates results in an increase in rent costs".
"Keeping rates low will ensure that renters are not punished unfairly. We will target rate increases to no more than CPI to keep cost-of-living increases minimal," the website said.
"We intend to target rate increases to the lowest level possible to ensure our residents and businesses are not burdened by excessive rate rises."
Cr Kerridge has denied ever claiming he would "freeze" rates and said his promise was to "target" keeping rate rises as low as possible.
"I think all of this behaviour, and there must have been at least I think an hour, if not two hours, spent last night in speeches that are performative and really carrying on with the election campaign, and this theme of singing their praises," he said.
"They've still effectively got control of the chamber, but they're still hurting, and I feel for their grief, but this is what democracy is, and really, they need to get over it and move on with working together, rather than attack, attack, attack.
"It's not impressing anyone."
At Tuesday's meeting, Cr Kerridge quoted economist John Maynard Keynes and said, "When times change, I change my mind".
"You can take that to the next election," he said.
City of Newcastle estimates it will raise about $200 million in rates in 2025/26.
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HE promised to "target rate increases to no more than CPI", but independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge has voted in favour of a rate increase more than double the current Consumer Price Index of 2.4 per cent. At this week's council meeting, Labor councillors, who also voted in favour of the rate increase, hammered Cr Kerridge for what they called a "broken" election promise. One of the policies of Cr Kerridge's hard-fought election campaign was to 'keep rents down by keeping rates low', arguing rates had risen "dramatically" by more than CPI in the last decade under Labor and his predecessor, Nuatali Nelmes. On Tuesday night, he voted in favour of a 5.1 per cent rate rise, the maximum allowable under the rate peg set by the state's independent pricing watchdog. Liberal councillors, who made a commitment to freezing rates for the entire four-year term of council, also voted in favour of the rate rise. Labor councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said the move was a "clear breach of trust" with voters. "Let's be honest, this is not what people were promised," she said. "Cr Kerridge repeatedly told the community he would limit rate increases to no more than CPI, and now he's voting for a 5.1 per cent rise. "I supported this budget because it delivers the projects and services our community needs, but unlike Cr Kerridge, I didn't campaign on freezing rates because I know responsible budgeting matters, and I believe in being upfront with the public." Our Newcastle was formed in support of Cr Kerridge and fellow independent councillors Mark Brooker and Peter Gittins ahead of the 2024 council elections. The policy section of the Our Newcastle website commits to 'keeping rents down by keeping rates down', arguing "any increase in rates results in an increase in rent costs". "Keeping rates low will ensure that renters are not punished unfairly. We will target rate increases to no more than CPI to keep cost-of-living increases minimal," the website said. "We intend to target rate increases to the lowest level possible to ensure our residents and businesses are not burdened by excessive rate rises." Cr Kerridge has denied ever claiming he would "freeze" rates and said his promise was to "target" keeping rate rises as low as possible. "I think all of this behaviour, and there must have been at least I think an hour, if not two hours, spent last night in speeches that are performative and really carrying on with the election campaign, and this theme of singing their praises," he said. "They've still effectively got control of the chamber, but they're still hurting, and I feel for their grief, but this is what democracy is, and really, they need to get over it and move on with working together, rather than attack, attack, attack. "It's not impressing anyone." At Tuesday's meeting, Cr Kerridge quoted economist John Maynard Keynes and said, "When times change, I change my mind". "You can take that to the next election," he said. City of Newcastle estimates it will raise about $200 million in rates in 2025/26. HE promised to "target rate increases to no more than CPI", but independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge has voted in favour of a rate increase more than double the current Consumer Price Index of 2.4 per cent. At this week's council meeting, Labor councillors, who also voted in favour of the rate increase, hammered Cr Kerridge for what they called a "broken" election promise. One of the policies of Cr Kerridge's hard-fought election campaign was to 'keep rents down by keeping rates low', arguing rates had risen "dramatically" by more than CPI in the last decade under Labor and his predecessor, Nuatali Nelmes. On Tuesday night, he voted in favour of a 5.1 per cent rate rise, the maximum allowable under the rate peg set by the state's independent pricing watchdog. Liberal councillors, who made a commitment to freezing rates for the entire four-year term of council, also voted in favour of the rate rise. Labor councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said the move was a "clear breach of trust" with voters. "Let's be honest, this is not what people were promised," she said. "Cr Kerridge repeatedly told the community he would limit rate increases to no more than CPI, and now he's voting for a 5.1 per cent rise. "I supported this budget because it delivers the projects and services our community needs, but unlike Cr Kerridge, I didn't campaign on freezing rates because I know responsible budgeting matters, and I believe in being upfront with the public." Our Newcastle was formed in support of Cr Kerridge and fellow independent councillors Mark Brooker and Peter Gittins ahead of the 2024 council elections. The policy section of the Our Newcastle website commits to 'keeping rents down by keeping rates down', arguing "any increase in rates results in an increase in rent costs". "Keeping rates low will ensure that renters are not punished unfairly. We will target rate increases to no more than CPI to keep cost-of-living increases minimal," the website said. "We intend to target rate increases to the lowest level possible to ensure our residents and businesses are not burdened by excessive rate rises." Cr Kerridge has denied ever claiming he would "freeze" rates and said his promise was to "target" keeping rate rises as low as possible. "I think all of this behaviour, and there must have been at least I think an hour, if not two hours, spent last night in speeches that are performative and really carrying on with the election campaign, and this theme of singing their praises," he said. "They've still effectively got control of the chamber, but they're still hurting, and I feel for their grief, but this is what democracy is, and really, they need to get over it and move on with working together, rather than attack, attack, attack. "It's not impressing anyone." At Tuesday's meeting, Cr Kerridge quoted economist John Maynard Keynes and said, "When times change, I change my mind". "You can take that to the next election," he said. City of Newcastle estimates it will raise about $200 million in rates in 2025/26. HE promised to "target rate increases to no more than CPI", but independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge has voted in favour of a rate increase more than double the current Consumer Price Index of 2.4 per cent. At this week's council meeting, Labor councillors, who also voted in favour of the rate increase, hammered Cr Kerridge for what they called a "broken" election promise. One of the policies of Cr Kerridge's hard-fought election campaign was to 'keep rents down by keeping rates low', arguing rates had risen "dramatically" by more than CPI in the last decade under Labor and his predecessor, Nuatali Nelmes. On Tuesday night, he voted in favour of a 5.1 per cent rate rise, the maximum allowable under the rate peg set by the state's independent pricing watchdog. Liberal councillors, who made a commitment to freezing rates for the entire four-year term of council, also voted in favour of the rate rise. Labor councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said the move was a "clear breach of trust" with voters. "Let's be honest, this is not what people were promised," she said. "Cr Kerridge repeatedly told the community he would limit rate increases to no more than CPI, and now he's voting for a 5.1 per cent rise. "I supported this budget because it delivers the projects and services our community needs, but unlike Cr Kerridge, I didn't campaign on freezing rates because I know responsible budgeting matters, and I believe in being upfront with the public." Our Newcastle was formed in support of Cr Kerridge and fellow independent councillors Mark Brooker and Peter Gittins ahead of the 2024 council elections. The policy section of the Our Newcastle website commits to 'keeping rents down by keeping rates down', arguing "any increase in rates results in an increase in rent costs". "Keeping rates low will ensure that renters are not punished unfairly. We will target rate increases to no more than CPI to keep cost-of-living increases minimal," the website said. "We intend to target rate increases to the lowest level possible to ensure our residents and businesses are not burdened by excessive rate rises." Cr Kerridge has denied ever claiming he would "freeze" rates and said his promise was to "target" keeping rate rises as low as possible. "I think all of this behaviour, and there must have been at least I think an hour, if not two hours, spent last night in speeches that are performative and really carrying on with the election campaign, and this theme of singing their praises," he said. "They've still effectively got control of the chamber, but they're still hurting, and I feel for their grief, but this is what democracy is, and really, they need to get over it and move on with working together, rather than attack, attack, attack. "It's not impressing anyone." At Tuesday's meeting, Cr Kerridge quoted economist John Maynard Keynes and said, "When times change, I change my mind". "You can take that to the next election," he said. City of Newcastle estimates it will raise about $200 million in rates in 2025/26. HE promised to "target rate increases to no more than CPI", but independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge has voted in favour of a rate increase more than double the current Consumer Price Index of 2.4 per cent. At this week's council meeting, Labor councillors, who also voted in favour of the rate increase, hammered Cr Kerridge for what they called a "broken" election promise. One of the policies of Cr Kerridge's hard-fought election campaign was to 'keep rents down by keeping rates low', arguing rates had risen "dramatically" by more than CPI in the last decade under Labor and his predecessor, Nuatali Nelmes. On Tuesday night, he voted in favour of a 5.1 per cent rate rise, the maximum allowable under the rate peg set by the state's independent pricing watchdog. Liberal councillors, who made a commitment to freezing rates for the entire four-year term of council, also voted in favour of the rate rise. Labor councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said the move was a "clear breach of trust" with voters. "Let's be honest, this is not what people were promised," she said. "Cr Kerridge repeatedly told the community he would limit rate increases to no more than CPI, and now he's voting for a 5.1 per cent rise. "I supported this budget because it delivers the projects and services our community needs, but unlike Cr Kerridge, I didn't campaign on freezing rates because I know responsible budgeting matters, and I believe in being upfront with the public." Our Newcastle was formed in support of Cr Kerridge and fellow independent councillors Mark Brooker and Peter Gittins ahead of the 2024 council elections. The policy section of the Our Newcastle website commits to 'keeping rents down by keeping rates down', arguing "any increase in rates results in an increase in rent costs". "Keeping rates low will ensure that renters are not punished unfairly. We will target rate increases to no more than CPI to keep cost-of-living increases minimal," the website said. "We intend to target rate increases to the lowest level possible to ensure our residents and businesses are not burdened by excessive rate rises." Cr Kerridge has denied ever claiming he would "freeze" rates and said his promise was to "target" keeping rate rises as low as possible. "I think all of this behaviour, and there must have been at least I think an hour, if not two hours, spent last night in speeches that are performative and really carrying on with the election campaign, and this theme of singing their praises," he said. "They've still effectively got control of the chamber, but they're still hurting, and I feel for their grief, but this is what democracy is, and really, they need to get over it and move on with working together, rather than attack, attack, attack. "It's not impressing anyone." At Tuesday's meeting, Cr Kerridge quoted economist John Maynard Keynes and said, "When times change, I change my mind". "You can take that to the next election," he said. City of Newcastle estimates it will raise about $200 million in rates in 2025/26.
