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Our Environment » |
Background to the Sustainability Levy |
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Index
In recent years Council has engaged with the community in preparing a range of key plans to identify and address needs within our community and to enable Council to better focus its limited resources on identified priorities. Completed Council plans have included the Sustainability Action Plan, Cultural Action Plan, Social Plan, Road Safety Plan and a town centre revitalisation plan, known as the Lane Cove ALIVE Strategic Action Plan. Community feedback has highlighted the importance of sustainability for our community. Concerns such as global warming, climate change, water and energy use, bushland protection and creek rehabilitation are seen as important locally as are the long term health and vitality of cultural, economic, environmental and social systems generally. “A sustainable society is one that satisfies its needs without diminishing the prospects of future generations.” Lester Brown, Worldwatch Institute Since adoption of Lane Cove’s Sustainability Action Plan “Think Global Act Local – Actions for a Sustainable Lane Cove” in December 2005, a range of projects have been undertaken often inactive partnership with community groups or individuals.Whilst actions so far are positive, progress is hindered by Council’s limited funding base. Council's Operating Environment Council over the past ten or more years has, like many other councils, strived to increase the efficiency of its operations in order to remain financially viable, and afford the new services and facilities which the community needs. For almost 30 years the State Government has pegged the amount of income which any council can raise from its rating revenue, its major source of income. There is not a lot of detailed research on the impact of Rate Pegging. Suffice to say, that with an artificial limit on revenue (rate pegging) rising costs in excess of CPI, coupled with cost shifting from other levels of government, it is difficult to meet the community’s needs. As an example, in 1980, state government funding accounted for 23.6% of the total funding required to operate the NSW public library network. Since that time this contribution has declined significantly and now comprises approximately 7.8% of total funding. Council has made up the shortfall. In the same period of time, Local government has also accepted responsibility for an increasing range of services to the community. In an effort to manage these trends, Council has continued its focus on reducing costs and since 2004, has attempted to increase income from alternate streams, which has marginally decreased Council’s dependency on Rates. It has now reached the point where the savings expected from any further “efficiencies” and cost reductions will be minimal. In order to deliver new facilities and programs aimed at improving the sustainability of our community, a new approach to secure the necessary revenue is needed. |
To increase the pace at
which we can implement
What Sustainability projects are proposed? Council has prepared a detailed plan for the projects to be funded in the first three years. The projects address the key areas of Environment, Climate Change, Water, Social and Cultural, Economic and Community Capacity Building. In seeking this levy, Council has made the following
commitments: 2. There will be no decrease in existing funding levels, the levy will be used to deliver additional projects. 3. Each year as part of its annual Management Plan consultation, Council with consult on the projects to be funded by the levy for the next 12 months. 4. Council will account for the funds from the levy 5. Every 5 years, Council will conduct a deliberative poll and other consultation to allow the community to formally assess the success of the levy.
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