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Why wasn't money set aside over time to fund improvements to infrastructure?
Council's maximum source of income, being rates, has escalated some 18.55% over the last five years. At the same time, Council's major expenditure items have escalated by more than 30%. This has created a major funding problem for Council.
With the pressures created by reduced income, and increases in costs beyond inflation, Council has only been able to address immediate service demands and has been unable to place money aside for infrastructure.
This situation is not unique to Hornsby, as recent studies at both a State and Federal level show that the number one major problem for local government across Australia is the replacement of ageing infrastructure.
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Comment 1 25 Oct 2009, 9:46 PM
If I let one of my projects blow-out by 30% I'd be out on the streets, and rightly so. This seems to be on the one hand an admission of mis-management on the part of those accountable, whilst at the same time rubbing the tax-payers noses in it by simply saying tough luck - you bail us out.
If what you are saying is basically that local-government is not affordable\feasible, then I'd have to agree...Federal and State levels of government are more than enough for me. I have no doubt that you think you are all doing a wonderfully important job - but please, just keep the rubbish off the streets and....nah, thats enough.
Comment 1.1 11 Feb 2010, 6:56 PM
I agree that Council should manage their expenses with the amount of revenue rates received as the rest of us need manage to a budget.
Cut staff if need be to achieve the needed savings, preferably "back office" planning/replanning & consulting staff rather than the outside workers.
But do not ask me the pay extra.
I do not get my street swept, have no or few kerbs or gutters in the suburb, have a local library that only opens 4 hours per day 5 days per week, have seen much money spent on planning and replanning for our local shopping area - at least 4 times in the past & now another in the ongoing saga- each time partly (the worst part) implemented.
Please stick to looking after roads & rubish collection.
Comment 2 26 Oct 2009, 4:04 PM
Agree with toryboy .. sounds like poor management. i don't want to have to pay for that.
Comment 3 15 Nov 2009, 3:25 PM
If this is so then Hornsby Council are accountable for inappropriation of monies as there is no report of where monies has been spent.... and also it is apparent they quick to jump on board the issues of other councils being out of funds and using it as an excuse to fill their coffers..... Hey Hornsby Council where do you have your team building seminars and AGM's.... I hope not up at Lillianfels..... or anywhere else where you are spending public money without public permission.
Comment 4 16 Mar 2010, 10:22 AM
Try living in carlingford, where are Hornsby council spending rate money down here.
It would help if pot holes in roads are fixed, footpaths in place on both sides of Pennant Hills Rd.
What infrasture? try catching a bus or getting to a railway station.
How about parking near libraries?
Council should realise maintanence is required on infrasture, why has money not been put away in the past to cover these cost. Maybe council should take some lessons from private schools on how to make ther mnoey work for them.
Comment 5 18 Apr 2010, 8:40 PM
Council admits that it has money in reserve funds for certain infrastructure projects - why keep it in reserve if it is needed now?