Q. How bad is the problem at the Hornsby Aquatic Centre?
The Hornsby Aquatic Centre is a serious problem and has recently received annual remedial attention. This work has included placing a vinyl liner within the pool to minimise the seepage of water into the concrete structure. This unfortunately has not led to stopping the serious corrosion issues within the pool. The pool now has a life of only some 3-4 years.
Whilst the pool is currently safe for use by the public and is regularly inspected, it cannot be maintained in the longer term in its present form. As it provides the only 50 metre facility with a grandstand for activities such as school carnivals, its replacement is essential.
Q. Will the Hornsby pedestrian overbridge be improved?
Council purchased the former Commonwealth Bank building on the corner of George and Florence Streets, Hornsby, to facilitate the rebuilding of the pedestrian bridge. Council intends to approach the Roads and Traffic Authority and CityRail to contribute towards the costs. The pedestrian bridge will definitely be rebuilt to make it more visually attractive and more functional.
Q. Why can't the improvements be funded from development contributions (Section 94)?
Contributions received from new development can only be used to provide capital assets which satisfy the needs of the new population. Development contributions cannot be used to satisfy the needs of the existing population or for maintenance or improvements to existing infrastructure. Also, development contributions cannot be used for operating expenses.
Q. Does Council receive more money in rates from unit development?
Council does receive more money in rates from unit development, but it receives substantially less on a per occupant/per resident basis. For example, houses occupied by six to eight residents might be replaced by units occupied by 25-30 residents. Council might receive double the rates, but there could be four times the number of occupants. This leads to an inequitable unfunded demand for increased services.
Q. How much will the rate variation cost?
The rate increase will be 5.8% and have an impact for 20 years. For the average ratepayer, the increase would be in the vicinity of $60-$70 per annum, or $1.20-$1.40 per week.
Q. What about people on low incomes and pensioners?
Council will give pensioners a rebate of $10 per annum as it currently does with the Quarry acquisition rate variation.
Q. Who decides where the money will be spent?
The Council will make the final determination as to the priorities for works and where the money will be spent.
Current community consultation is aimed at obtaining feedback from the community as to its aspirations for the future and its priority projects for expenditure. This will guide Council in its final determinations.
Q. How can I be sure the money will be spent on infrastructure?
As with, for example, the Catchments Remediation Rate, Council will report annually on monies received from an infrastructure levy and the projects on which the funds have been expended. Additional reports can be provided to the community through the Bushland Shire News, special brochures, in the local papers and on our website.
Q. Why has this need for infrastructure improvements arisen now?
The need for infrastructure improvements has developed over time, with planning and studies being undertaken in recent years.
These investigations have enabled Council to approach the community with sufficient information, to satisfy any reasonable enquiry of the magnitude of the problem and the need for it to be addressed.
The issue must be addressed and deferral is untenable.