Inner West Council committed to no rates increase for next four years

Tuesday 11 February 2025

Media release
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne

While councils across Sydney are massively increasing rates, Inner West Council is committed to no special rate variation for the next four years.

The Inner West has never increased residential or business rates since Council was created in 2016.

Due to careful financial management and professional oversight of a large-scale infrastructure program, Inner West Council will be in surplus in the upcoming financial year and has made a commitment not to increase rates across the next four years.

The council has completed the rebuilding of Ashfield Aquatic Centre, saved Dawn Fraser Baths and has fully budgeted for a major renovation of Leichhardt Pool and historic Leichhardt Oval.

Mayor Darcy Byrne said that strong financial management is the key to Council delivering for the community.

"While we are seeing massive rate increases at many councils across Sydney, Inner West residents and businesses can be assured that there will be no special rate variation here for the next four years," Byrne said.

“At a time when cost of living pressures on our residents are really hitting hard, it’s important that we do everything we can to ease those pressures and manage our budget well.

“Not only will we not be increasing rates over the next four years, we have never increased rates since Council was first established in 2016.

“In that time, we have delivered the $44 million reconstruction of Ashfield Aquatic Centre and saved Dawn Fraser Baths through a heritage restoration. Now we have carefully budgeted for the major renovation of Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre and the upgrade of Leichhardt Oval.

“It’s true that public pools and community infrastructure are expensive, but delivering these facilities is core Council business and can be achieved through professional financial management.

We are on track for our budget to be in surplus in the coming financial year and will continue our responsible approach to financial management and infrastructure delivery.”

Ends

For media enquiries please contact Jonny Browne, Jonny.Browne@innerwest.nsw.gov.au