The Georges River Record

Georges River Council resolved that there be no rate rise at all in the 2026-2027 financial year, after an amendment was carried at its meeting on 28 April 2026. The motion also requires the operational plan to prioritise service delivery, basic infrastructure upgrades and traffic and development application matters, with a report back on KPIs.

Councillor Gow said feedback from residents since being elected 18 months ago was that services had not been up to standard, citing bins not coming on time.

An amendment was put and carried with eight votes for and six against, becoming the motion. Councillor Gow said residents have already carried years of higher increases from the special rate variation, which is coming to an end. "I do not believe that residents should be paying another rate rise of this financial year especially considering we are in a significant cost of living crisis," Councillor Gow said.

The motion states the council should prioritise improvement of service delivery and basic infrastructure upgrades, including traffic matters and development application related matters, and provide a report outlining KPIs and plans for improvement. The amendment was carried after a vote, and the motion was then put and carried.

Councillor Gow said the rebate was previously available but was reviewed with no proper explanation, and that reinstating it would provide practical relief. The motion noted the statutory NSW pensioner rebate is kept at 250 per year and has not changed since 1993.

The pensioner rebate motion was carried unanimously after an amendment was carried. Councillor Gow said the motion was about council taking the lead and doing something beneficial for local residents, and rejected suggestions it involved cutting services or jobs.

Council also carried a motion on parking concerns in Shaftesbury Street, Carlton, moved by Councillor Gow and seconded by Councillor Punt. The motion requests a review of parking conditions and consultation with affected residents, including consideration of resident parking permit schemes and changes to parking layout near Benbridge Street.

The meeting closed at 9.13pm. The minutes of the previous meeting held on 23 March 2026 were confirmed, and committee reports were adopted in bulk with the exception of items pulled for discussion.