Former Cumberland mayor and current Libertarian councillor Steve Christou was the lone voice opposing a 7.1% council rate rise at last week’s meeting, criticising the increase during a cost-of-living crisis while accusing colleagues of neglecting local infrastructure.
“People are sick of the local area looking like a ghetto,” Christou said, adding, “But here we are in a cost-of-living crisis… proposing a 7.1 per cent council rate hike.”
The increase, recommended by IPART and amounting to $1.50 per week, was backed by other councillors who accused Christou of a “scare campaign” and reminded him of his own record.
Voting Against a 7.1% Council Rate Rise.
— Councillor Steve Christou Libertarian Party (@ChristouSteve) June 18, 2025
At last nights Council Meeting Council voted to increase Rates by 7.1% on local residents in a cost of living crisis who are struggling to pay the mortgage, rent, bills, and put food on the table to feed their children.
I was the only… pic.twitter.com/o5v9uXzPS8
Deputy Mayor Michael Zaiter, a professional accountant, noted Christou supported a rate rise in 2020-21 while serving as mayor and warned rejecting the current increase would leave the council with an $80 million deficit over ten years.
Christou’s separate motion to increase street cleaning staff was also rejected, with councillors arguing it had already been addressed in the budget.
Source: Daily Telegraph.
