Advertisement
Sydney neighbourhoods are being split over rates payments as the state government s controversial council mergers drive up costs by 40 per cent in some areas as other homeowners save several hundred dollars a year.
The Inner West Council – which combines the former Marrickville, Leichhardt and Ashfield local government areas – is among the Sydney councils consulting ratepayers on plans to merge multiple systems for rates into one.
Longtime Marrickville residents Mary Cloran, Jane Sinclair and Tim Bartlett are among residents frustrated by a proposed rise in rates.
Credit:Brook Mitchell
Under the plan, ratepayers in Marrickville, Dulwich Hill, Petersham, Newtown and Enmore reported widespread increases up to 24 per cent, while costs will fall for many in Leichhardt, Balmain, Lilyfield and Birchgrove.