Latest news with #NorthSydneyCouncil
The Age
4 days ago
- Business
- The Age
‘Too hard to build': Albanese government slams local councils over housing shortfall
The Albanese government has taken aim at local councils and top-heavy universities as being responsible for the nation's housing crisis and a drain on Australians' stagnating standard of living respectively, even as Labor struggles to meet its home-building targets. In one of his first speeches since being appointed assistant minister for productivity, Andrew Leigh will argue on Tuesday that a 'thicket of regulation' is holding back housing, infrastructure and research. Leigh's speech at the Chifley Research Centre in Melbourne comes just weeks after the government's own independent housing sector adviser, the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council, warned that the Labor government's National Housing Accord was set to fall 262,000 short of its 1.2 million target for new homes by the end of the decade. Leigh will put the heat on local government, singling out North Sydney Council, which has been scrambling to repair its budget after the pricing regulator rejected a proposed 87 per cent rate rise, as a prime example of a slow-mover. 'After an applicant files an application for development approval, councils are supposed to do the initial checks and lodge it in their system within 14 days,' he will say. 'In the current financial year, just one in three development applications to North Sydney Council have been approved in that time. The average lag is 41 days.' North Sydney Council was contacted for comment. Leigh will note the council also has a low approval rate, approving just 44 new homes in the seven months to February this year, 'barely 6 per cent of its pro rata target of 787 homes under the National Housing Accord.' The accord has linked funding to a target – agreed to by federal, state and local governments as well as institutional investors and the construction sector – of building 1 million well-located homes over five years from mid-2024. Treasurer Jim Chalmers, following Labor's thumping election victory, marked a turning point in the government's priorities, telling the ABC's Insiders program in May that Labor's 'first term was primarily inflation without forgetting productivity. The second term will be primarily productivity without forgetting inflation.'
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Too hard to build': Albanese government slams local councils over housing shortfall
The Albanese government has taken aim at local councils and top-heavy universities as being responsible for the nation's housing crisis and a drain on Australians' stagnating standard of living respectively, even as Labor struggles to meet its home-building targets. In one of his first speeches since being appointed assistant minister for productivity, Andrew Leigh will argue on Tuesday that a 'thicket of regulation' is holding back housing, infrastructure and research. Leigh's speech at the Chifley Research Centre in Melbourne comes just weeks after the government's own independent housing sector adviser, the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council, warned that the Labor government's National Housing Accord was set to fall 262,000 short of its 1.2 million target for new homes by the end of the decade. Leigh will put the heat on local government, singling out North Sydney Council, which has been scrambling to repair its budget after the pricing regulator rejected a proposed 87 per cent rate rise, as a prime example of a slow-mover. 'After an applicant files an application for development approval, councils are supposed to do the initial checks and lodge it in their system within 14 days,' he will say. 'In the current financial year, just one in three development applications to North Sydney Council have been approved in that time. The average lag is 41 days.' North Sydney Council was contacted for comment. Leigh will note the council also has a low approval rate, approving just 44 new homes in the seven months to February this year, 'barely 6 per cent of its pro rata target of 787 homes under the National Housing Accord.' The accord has linked funding to a target – agreed to by federal, state and local governments as well as institutional investors and the construction sector – of building 1 million well-located homes over five years from mid-2024. Treasurer Jim Chalmers, following Labor's thumping election victory, marked a turning point in the government's priorities, telling the ABC's Insiders program in May that Labor's 'first term was primarily inflation without forgetting productivity. The second term will be primarily productivity without forgetting inflation.'
The Guardian
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Do your research and get the neighbours onboard: how to get solar panels on your apartment building in Australia
Australia has the highest uptake of rooftop solar in the world – with more than 4m solar installations across the country. In 2022 more than 30% of Australian households were generating solar energy on their rooftops – but in many cases those living in apartments have been left behind. Despite accounting for 16% of Australia's dwellings, only about 3% of apartments have solar installed. In a bid to give apartment dwellers the same opportunity to access clean and affordable solar energy, state governments are offering generous rebates to help them join the clean energy transition, including this program, open to apartment owners in NSW. But there are a few steps you'll need to consider before signing up. Rob McKay lives in a block of nine double-brick apartments in the Sydney suburb of Cremorne with a mix of renters and owner occupiers. 'We first started looking at solar for the building before Covid. We're fortunate in that our local council, North Sydney, is very supportive of sustainability options,' he says, noting in particular council rebates for solar panels and batteries. 'We realised we were eligible for a battery rebate from the state government [as well as] the North Sydney council rebates.' After researching the options he found out about technology that enables the allocation of power between multiple units behind the meter. The next step was to use a solar comparison website to assess the building's solar and battery needs, as well as EV infrastructure requirements in the building's basement. 'Armed with that information, we ran a tender for solar and battery suppliers, chose a preferred supplier and installed a system that went live in December' he says. McKay says that, in retrospect, the delays from lockdowns were a blessing as they allowed the apartment block time to build up its capital works fund (thereby avoiding the need for a special levy) and to understand the options better. 'Since flicking the switch, we've generated 82% of our overall power consumption, although we share that in both directions with the grid. 'As a result, we've had material decreases in our individual power bills and happy residents, whether owner occupiers or tenants.' Once you've figured out which rebates you are eligible for, you'll still need to navigate a careful path between your owners' corporation, fellow apartment owners or occupiers and strata managers. Be prepared to come up against some resistance, as some owners may not be keen to front up the extra costs involved, especially in a cost-of-living crisis. But highlighting the longterm economic savings of the investment is a good strategy. Jeff Sykes from Solar Choice says the benefits can be enormous for apartment dwellers as they are often the people most in need of assistance with growing energy costs. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email 'Shared solar projects targeting the whole building also benefit renters who traditionally have been left out of solar projects,' he says. 'The feedback once solar is installed is almost always overwhelmingly positive and these projects will improve the property values of all owners and deliver benefits to residents for 25 years.' McKay says the best way to bring neighbours along for the journey is to install a smart meter so that everyone can see how the power is being distributed. This also helps to keep up regular communication throughout the installation process. 'It has made residents more aware of their power consumption, opening up more electricity retailer options for them,' he says. Ultimately, if you can help get everyone's power bill down while reducing your carbon footprint, that's a win for everyone. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. If you're having trouble using the form, click here. Read terms of service here.
News.com.au
16-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Ratepayers have been whacked with costly bill jumps in Sydney's Northern Beaches
Some Sydney ratepayers have been slugged with a 25 per cent increase in bills, while another council has slammed the system after its application for an almost 90 per cent hike was rejected. Northern Beaches ratepayers will face a 25 per cent hike in their bill after a decision from the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) — the state's independent price regulator — on Thursday. The Northern Beaches and three regional councils were given special rate variations. However, North Sydney ratepayers have escaped an exorbitant bump after the council's request for an 87 per cent increase in rates was rejected. North Sydney Mayor Zoë Baker said 'the system is clearly flawed'. 'It is incredibly disappointing that IPART refused both applications without considering even a partial approval of either, particularly the minimum rate application,' she said in a statement. 'Without responsible financial management and provision of adequate funding, the burden shifts to the next generation or the one after that. 'North Sydney Council's financial position is very well known and has been widely reported in the media over many years. If a council like North Sydney, subject to significant public scrutiny in media across the state, is unable to effect financial repair through applications to IPART, the system is clearly flawed.' The mayor also said 'tough choices and decisions' will be made by the council moving forward, including service cuts, asset sales and other measures. Additionally, North Sydney Council's special variation application to increase minimum rates for residents was also rejected. The request for rate hikes sparked scrutiny from hundreds of locals who protested against the North Sydney Council in February this year. Resident Jocelyn Guy, who took part in the protests, told the Daily Telegraph the council 'wasted so much money'. 'Why aren't they looking at (ways to raise money) instead of just trying to shove money in their coffers so they can spend it in more incompetent ways,' she said. Holding placards in defiance, with some in the public gallery yelled 'vote them out' while others cries of 'liar', 'shame' and 'sack them all' rang from the hundreds standing outside the council chambers. The decision has been a partial win for Northern Beaches Council, as their request for a 39.6 per cent increase in rates over a period of three years was approved to only 25 per cent over two years. Council Mayor Heins said the decision recognised the 'considerable pressures on Council's budget' 'The approval gives us the opportunity to achieve what we set out to do – maintain core infrastructure and secure financial stability,' she said. 'This has been a tough conversation to have with our community in this economic climate and we appreciate the feedback and input from our ratepayers.' The mayor said the rate hikes will 'better meet the real cost of maintaining (the) community assets' which has 'increased significantly over many years alongside the financial impacts of multiple natural emergencies, cost shifting and other budget pressures'.
ABC News
16-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
North Sydney Council's steep rates increase plan ruled out by IPART
North Sydney Council has lost a bid to hike rates by almost 90 per cent, with the regulator ruling it failed to make a compelling case for the massive rise. The council applied to increase rates by 87 per cent over two years, pushing minimum residential rates from $715 to $1,548. Under the plan submitted to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) rates for businesses would have gone up by even more. The council claimed it needed the extra revenue to immediately start repairing its financial position, build up unrestricted reserves to guarantee financial strength and fund new infrastructure. The issue has caused an uproar in the community since it was announced, with a council meeting in February descending into chaos when councillors voted to approve the plan. During that meeting North Sydney Mayor Zoë Baker shouted "this is an outrage" as locals heckled and called for the resignations of councillors supporting the proposal. In knocking back the council's plan, IPART said the council failed to clearly identify the need for the dramatic increase in rates, and also that it was not clear about how it would spend the money It noted criticisms from locals that the rates increase would be used to pay for a massive blowout in the cost of redeveloping the North Sydney Olympic Pool. That project has seen the iconic swimming spot remain a construction zone since 2021. IPART has ruled instead of the 87 per cent requested, the council can only increase rates by 4 per cent next financial year, but it can lodge a new application in future years. Cr Baker told 702 Radio Sydney Breakfast in the wake of the ruling that the council will have to cut $25 million from its budget for the coming financial year to avoid a "real cash liquidity crisis". "If that's the case, the IPART process is just not fit for doing really long-term structural repair." Cr Baker said the council did not want to to sell assets to meet its financial obligations, so cutting the budget is the only short-term solution. The Northern Beaches Council, which sought to increase rates by 40 per cent over three years, has had only the first two years of its plan approved, meaning rates will rise by 25 per cent by 2027. Mayor Sue Hines said IPART's review of the council's cost savings and budgets was positive. "I don't think people realise that councils these days provide so much more than roads, rates and rubbish … everything you virtually look at or touch is normally an asset of councils," Cr Hines said.
