Greens MP Amanda Cohn says most councils’ financial struggles are not caused by mismanagement,and instead they had been “set up to fail by the state government”.
Limited to a narrow base from which to raise money,it is perhaps little wonder that most NSW councils have been forced to put their hands out and dramatically increase rates.
A Greens councillor says Woollahra Council is forcing apartment owners to subsidise the council rates of residents who own harbourside mansions.
Public transport fares will be increased next month as the NSW government faces a significant deficit in lost revenue from coronavirus restrictions.
Residents say rates will rise by up to 40 per cent in some areas,while neighbouring suburbs of the merged council areas will save hundreds of dollars a year.
Fewer than half of NSW funeral providers had all the cost information they are legally required to provide on their websites.
Church officials are on edge as Berejiklian government cabinet members consider a contentious review into the state's cemeteries and crematoria.
Some consumers faced high prices,confusing information and minimal options at a time when they were vulnerable,according to the regulator,which has been investigating pricing of burials.