Council has welcomed the Local Government Amendment Bill 2021 which allows us to harmonise rates over eight years.

Council is currently operating under three old rating systems – Ashfield, Leichhardt and Marrickville.

By law, all amalgamated councils must harmonise rates from 1 July 2021. Harmonising rates will mean one rating system across the Inner West. While Council is not increasing its overall income from rates harmonisation, some rates will change for individual properties.

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has approved Council’s application for a minimum rate. IPART found that Council’s proposal was reasonable and fairly considered the needs and concerns of residents. For more information visit the Rates harmonisation project page.

The changes to the Local Government Act and the IPART approval were announced after Council’s draft key strategic documents were published. Updated documents will be published shortly to reflect these changes.