This was a complex and intensive seven-month project, including policy development, general communications and community engagement on a proposed Special Rate Variation (SRV) for Willoughby City Council.

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The SRV would involve increasing rates at a higher level than the NSW Government rate peg, to assist Council's financial sustainability and to determine its future funding priorities.

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A project plan, engagement plan and budget ($200,000) were developed, approved and then implemented. These plans and budget carefully considered relevant NSW Government guidelines for SRVs.

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In the first round of engagement, between September and November 2023, an extensive range of activities were undertaken to make community members aware of four rate rise options, including: 

• Sending a six-page brochure to 30,000 ratepayers (this brochure was the key tool to explain the benefits and impacts of the four options)

• Sending out more than 36,000 emails to various databases 

• Placing 42 pavement sticker signs at around 10 localities 

• Publishing social media posts which were seen 198,853 times 

• Distributing at least 1,585 flyers to businesses and passers-by 

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An estimated 47% of Willoughby LGA residents stated they were aware of the rate rise options. This was higher than the 34% average awareness rate for other Sydney councils which have undertaken rate rise engagement campaigns. 

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Activities to seek feedback from the community on the options included: 

• Creating a Securing Willoughby’s Future online Have Your Say portal which was visited 5,100 times 

• An invitation on the Have Your Say portal to complete an online opt-in survey (1,873 respondents filled out the survey) 

• Commissioning a research company to undertake a representative telephone and online survey of more than 400 residents (survey was weighted to reflect the 18 plus age and gender profile of the LGA) 

• Holding eleven engagement events, including a stakeholder roundtable with Progress Associations and business groups 

• Inviting respondents to make comments or submissions to explain their feedback 

• An online rates calculator

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Following the above engagement, Council had the confidence to select a 15% rate rise as its preferred option.

 

The Long Term Financial Plan was then re-written to reflect this option, and a further round of engagement then took place on this plan.