NSW · Lower North Shore (Sydney) · Local council, made simple
North Sydney Council
A small, densely settled Lower North Shore council on Sydney Harbour, just across the bridge from the city — around 73,000 people across the North Sydney CBD and harbourside villages like Crows Nest, Neutral Bay, Cremorne, Kirribilli and Cammeray. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, roads, libraries, parks, pools, development — and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.
SRV approved: 23% in 2026–27 (52.66% over 3 years)
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 6 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyNorth Sydney's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
All 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you, by ward — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Zoë Baker (The Real Independents)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and how voting works.
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Customer service: (02) 9936 8100
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~73,000 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
3 updatesRecent items from North Sydney Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Policy
IPART approves North Sydney's special rate variation
IPART approved North Sydney Council's special rate variation of about 52.66% cumulative over three years from 1 July 2026 (23% in 2026–27, 14.58% in 2027–28, 8.32% in 2028–29), after an earlier, larger application was rejected in May 2025.
What this means for you: Rates income will rise above the standard peg from 2026–27; the council says most of the extra money is earmarked for infrastructure renewal to reduce a reported ~$157m backlog. How your own bill changes also depends on your land value.
Source: North Sydney Council — IPART decision an important step
- Development
North Sydney Olympic Pool set to reopen in August 2026
The council's rebuilt North Sydney Olympic Pool, closed since February 2021 for a redevelopment budgeted at about $122m, is scheduled to reopen on 7 August 2026.
What this means for you: The harbourside pool and its new indoor pools, gym and upgraded facilities become available to the public again; check opening hours and entry fees on the council's project page.
Source: North Sydney Council — North Sydney Olympic Pool redevelopment
- Policy
IPART rejects North Sydney's first special rate variation bid
In May 2025 IPART did not approve North Sydney Council's initial special rate variation and minimum-rate application (about 87% over two years), and the council said it would review its services and costs before reapplying.
What this means for you: For 2025–26 the standard rate peg of 4.0% applied instead of a larger rise; the council later lodged a revised SRV that IPART approved for 2026–27 onwards.
Source: North Sydney Council — SRV application not approved by IPART
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