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I have put the State Government on notice that Leichhardt Council totally rejects the Local Government Review Panel’s recommendation that councils should consider increasing parking fees and scrapping rebates for pensioners.
My council has just become the first in NSW to deliver 30 minutes free parking in all main streets.
We will not be breaking trust with our residents by reversing this long overdue reform.
Leichhardt also offers greater concessions to pensioners than most other Councils and we will continue to look after the people who spent decades building our community into what it is today.
Pensioners in our LGA receive a rebate of $250 on rates plus a complete waiver of the garbage levy, worth up to $460 for pensioners who have lived in the LGA for more than ten years.
The Review Panel’s Report identifies some of the big challenges facing local government and Council must seriously consider
its recommendations.
However looking after our pensioners and delivering a fairer parking system are principles that we will not back away from.
The Review Panel has stated that social welfare should not be a local government responsibility.
We could not disagree more — social welfare is everyone’s responsibility.
Sincerely,
Councillor Darcy Byrne
Mayor, Leichhardt Municipal Council.
