Mosman calls for levies to stay local

Mosman has joined 22 other metropolitan councils in a campaign demanding the NSW Government abandon its plan to divert local government funds into state revenue.

The NSW Government is attempting to take a significant proportion of local government “developer contributions” which councils collect to help pay for local infrastructure such as playgrounds, sports fields, libraries and parks.

The councils argue that this change will have a detrimental impact on local communities and that developer levies should be spent where they are raised to ensure new development is accompanied by appropriate investment in the surrounding area.

Mosman Mayor Carolyn Corrigan joined a delegation which met with NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes on Friday.

“Despite the Minister’s repeated reassurances that councils wouldn’t be left worse off, we know that Mosman will be disadvantaged if these changes are implemented and the renewal of essential infrastructure, such as the library, will be threatened,” she said.

“Local government needs an iron clad guarantee that no community will be worse off with this rushed legislation. This money grab by the NSW government threatens the foundations which sustain communities, not just now but for our future generations.

“The system is not broken and on behalf of our community we call on the Premier and the Planning Minister to work with us so we can keep providing the libraries, swimming pools, parks and community centres our residents value so much.

“Our communities need the contributions, not the NSW Government, and Mosman residents trust us to deliver the facilities they need to live and work in Mosman and we have been doing just that for decades.”

For more information on the campaign visit saveourcommunities.com