NSW · Greater Sydney (northern beaches) · Local council, made simple
Northern Beaches Council
Sydney's northern beaches — around 270,800 people across Manly, Dee Why, Brookvale, Mona Vale and Frenchs Forest, with 80 km of coastline and four lagoons. Formed in 2016 from the Manly, Warringah and Pittwater councils, it runs the local services you use every week — waste, beaches, roads, libraries, 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.
2025–26 rates: +12.1% (IPART special variation)
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 7 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyThe Northern Beaches' 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: Sue Heins
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: 1300 434 434
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~270,800 (2024)
Open →What's happening
2 updatesRecent items from Northern Beaches Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Policy
IPART approves special variation to Northern Beaches rates
IPART partially approved the council's special variation, allowing total rate increases of 12.1% in 2025–26 and 11.7% in 2026–27 (each including the rate peg) and declining the proposed third year.
What this means for you: Your rates are rising above the usual peg for two years — about $42 a quarter (~$168/year) more for the typical ratepayer in 2025–26 — to fund services and infrastructure.
- Policy
New Council elected; Sue Heins elected Mayor
Following the 14 September 2024 election, the 15 councillors met and elected Sue Heins as Mayor for the 2024–2028 term.
What this means for you: These are the people who'll set your rates and local services for this term; you can find your ward's three councillors on the council's site.
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