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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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| | Get answers to frequently asked questions below.
1. Airport Noise
a) To whom do I complain about airport noise?
2. Roads
a) Who is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of roads in the Marrickville LGA?
b) How do I report pothole damage in a local street?
3. Rates
a) How can I pay my rates?
b) How are my rates calculated and what do they include?
4. Building and Renovations
I am looking to build or renovate, what Council approvals will I require?
5. Trees
a) Can I trim a tree on my property?
b) A tree on my neighbour’s property is hanging over my property. What can be done about it?
6. Dumped Rubbish
What can I do about dumped rubbish?
7. Abandoned Vehicles
What can be done about abandoned vehicles?
8. Footpaths
How can I report a damaged footpath?
9. Street Lights
The street lights are not working in my street. Who should I report this to?
10. Dogs and Cats
What services does Council provide regarding dogs and cats?
1. To whom do I complain about airport noise?
Airservices Australia - part of the Commonwealth Government's Department of Transport and Regional Services - provides a telephone noise enquiry service (1800 802 584) to enable the community to express their concerns about aircraft noise, and an online complaint form.
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2a. Who is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of roads in the Marrickville LGA?
Road managment in NSW provides for three categories of roads; State Roads, Regional Roads, and Local Roads.
State Roads are the major arterial links throughout the state and within major urban areas. State Roads are the responsibility of the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) to fund and maintain roads in the Marrickville LGA. In the Marrickville Local Government Area (LGA), the following roads are State Roads and are the responsibility of the RTA:
- Parramatta Road
- New Canterbury Road, Stanmore Road, Enmore Road, King Street
- Princess Highway (Tempe), Canal Road (St Peters)
- Railway Parade, Gordon Street (Petersham)
- Sydenham Road (Petersham, Marrickville, Sydenham), Gleeson Avenue (Sydenham)
(See 'red' roads in map)
If you have feedback for the RTA concerning State Roads, please contact the RTA on 13 22 13 or submit feedback to them on their website, http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/
Regional Roads are routes of secondary importance between State Roads and Local Roads. Local Council are responsible for funding, determining priorities and carrying out works. Marrickville Council receives assistance from the NSW State Government to assist in the upkeep of regional roads. (See 'green' roads in map)
Local Roads provide local circulation and access and is the responsibility of local government. Marrickville Council receives Federal Assistance Grants to assist in the upkeep of the local roads. (See 'grey' roads in map)
Council's road pavement network extends over 215km, made up of the following:
- Regional roads - 24 km
- Local roads - 146 km
- Lanes - 45km
Council's 2008/2009 budget allocates $4.22 million for the maintenance and capital spending on roads, lanes and footpaths.
If you have feedback for Council concerning regional or local roads, comment online or phone 9335 2222.
Further information on road funding and responsibility can be found at the RTA website, Regional Road Funding Assistance to Local Government for 2006/2007.
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2b. How do I report pothole damage in a local street?
Council undertakes regular maintenance of local roads and also resurfaces roads where potholes have appeared. To report pothole damage to Council please fill in an online form or phone 9335 2222. Council will investigate any report of pothole damage and if it is an urgent safety issue, the area will be made safe within 24 hours of receiving the report. If it is not an urgent safety issue, the pothole will be investigated within 5 days of Council receiving the report. Work will be prioritised according to safety and other considerations and scheduled to start within the following 42 days.
State roads and highways are the responsibility of the Roads and Traffic Authority which can be contacted on 132 701.
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3a. How can I pay my rates?
To make things easier, you can now pay your rates in the following way:
- in person at the Citizens' Service Centre (2-14 Fisher Street, Petersham)
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in person, by phone or email via Post Billpay. Visit any Post Office, call 131816 or go online to www.postbillpay.com.au (Billpay code 2072)
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in person at any Commonwealth Bank by completing a CBA deposit form
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via BPAY (Biller code 59626)
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by phone via Secure Pay, call 1300 724 307
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by direct debit (existing direct debit agreement only)
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by post to Marrickville Council, PO Box 14,Petersham NSW 2049
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3b. How are my rates calculated and what do they include?
Rates are calculated on an ad valorem basis, which is multiplying the Land Value (determined by the Valuer General) by a rate in the dollar, subject to a minimum rate. The NSW Government determines the maximum permissible rate increase on an annual basis. In 2008/9 the maximum permissible rate increase is 3.2% which was adopted by Marrickville Council at the June 2008 Council meeting. The total yield from rates in 2008/9 is expected to be $36.1 million which equates to 58% of total Council revenue. The average residential rate amount in 2008/9 is approximately $700, while the minimum residential amount is $505.
Your rate notice also includes a Domestic Waste Management Charge authorised under Section 496 of the Local Government Act, 1993. This charge applies uniformly to each parcel of rateable land for which the service is available. In 2008/9 the Domestic Waste Management Charge is $322.50. Council’s domestic waste management service, including household recycling, garbage collection/disposal, cleanup service, the green waste service and lane cleaning will cost $11million in 2008/9 to provide and is funded largely by the Domestic Waste Management charge.
Your rates also include a Stormwater Management Charge in 2008/2009. The Act provides that the maximum charge to be levied will be $25.00 per residential property, $12.50 per home unit and for business properties $25.00 per 350 square metres. The Resources Plan Budget provides for a total program of $813,222 funded by the Stormwater Levy. The charge will enable Council to fund a range of programs necessary to meet our environmental protection requirements, to provide alternate water supplies for irrigation, and to protect property against flood damage.
Council is required by the State Government to contribute funds in the form of levies and charges. The average rate payer will contribute $62 in 2008/9 for State Government Charges comprising Fire Brigade Levy, Dept of Planning Levy, Valuer General Fees and Waste Disposal Levy. In addition, each ratepayer also pays $23 for Street Lighting.
Total average rates and domestic waste management charges for Marrickville ratepayers equate to approximately $2.80 per day.
For a list of services, see our Council Services page on the website. For more details on rates and and resource allocation, see Council's Annual Management Plan & Budget.
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4. I am looking to build or renovate, what Council approvals will I require?
Council has developed comprehensive guidelines in relation to development in the Marrickville Local Government Area. For detail on approval requirements please go to the Housing and Development Guide.
In addition, residents will need approval to:
- place a skip bin on the road or footpath
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do any restoration work that will require placing scaffolding, cranes etc on a road or footpath
- use Council streets or parks to carry out filming (not simple amateur photography)
- use Council parks for a wedding or party
- erect an advertising structure
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display goods, A-frames, or provide outdoor seating outside a commercial premises
- set up a street stall
 Housing and Development Forms download page
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5a. Can I trim a tree on my property?
Trees over 5 metres (15 feet) or irrespective of height having a trunk diameter of 200mm or greater (measured at 1 metre from ground level), require a written consent from Council and the tree owner before pruning, removal, or undertaking of soil works around a tree (i.e. excavation).
The owner of the property on which the tree is located (or in the case of a strata titled property, the owner's corporation) must sign the application form. Please note that an application form cannot be accepted from a tenant or an individual lot owner in a strata plan.
Upon an application being received, the tree will be inspected by the Trees Technical Officer and determined within 14 days. A written Notice of Determination will be sent to the applicant.
A fee of $85.20 (2006/2007) applies for tree preservation requests.
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5b. A tree on my neighbour’s property is hanging over my property. What can be done about it?
If you want to trim overhanging branches or trees from a neighbour's property, Council recommends that you contact your neighbour directly in the first instance to discuss the matter.
As the owner of the subject property, your neighbour will be required to make the application for trimming or removal of the tree. Council cannot force a neighbour to prune or remove a tree as this is considered a civil matter and is better dealt with through consultation between neighbours. Neighbours in dispute are encouraged to contact the Community Justice Centre on 9790 0656 to assist with resolving the dispute. The local magistrate (Newtown local Court 9577 4000) may also be able to assist with the matter.
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6. What can I do about dumped rubbish?
In order to avoid illegal dumping, citizens can book a FREE general or white goods clean up online or by phoning 9335 2137; utilise Council’s FREE household chemical collection service to remove waste by phoning 9335 2222; deposit FREE of charge any automotive sump oil at Council’s mobile oil recycling facility; and take other items to Rockdale Transfer Station, Lindsay Street, Rockdale (1300 651 116) many items are accepted free of charge. Go to the Alternative Waste Disposal web page for further information.
Marrickville Council through its free booked waste collections and education is aiming to reduce the incidence of illegal dumping in Marrickville. Illegal dumping is disposing of waste on public places other than approved areas. It is illegal to dump waste on streets, laneways, parks, footpaths, nature strips, car parks and waterways.
If you are aware of people dumping rubbish illegally, you can report these incidents to Council on 9335 2222. Please include as much information in your report as possible. People caught illegally dumping could receive on the spot fines of up to $200 for an individual and $400 for a corporation. In the event of dumping large amounts of waste, Council will pursue court action to recover clean up costs. Depending on the severity of the dump, clean up costs can range into tens of thousands of dollars.
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7. What can be done about abandoned vehicles?
Citizens can report abandoned vehicles to Council by filling in an online form or phoning 9335 2222 and providing information such as location and vehicle description. Council will then investigate each case on an individual basis. An abandoned vehicle is one which a Council officer believes on reasonable grounds has been abandoned or left unattended eg: a vehicle no longer wanted by its owner and may include a registered vehicle. Council will arrange for the removal of abandoned vehicles from public places only and does not remove abandoned vehicles from private property.
Where the owner of the vehicle cannot be identified, Council will arrange with its contractor for removal of the abandoned vehicle. Where the owner of the vehicle is identified, Council will place an orange sticker on the car and advise the owner that the vehicle must be removed within 10 days to avoid a fine and possible court action. If they do not remove the vehicle, a red sticker will be placed on the vehicle, an infringement notice will be issued and Council will remove the vehicle.
Where the owner claims an unregistered vehicle is not abandoned, Council will advise the local police of an unregistered vehicle on the street. If the vehicle is registered and the owner claims it is not abandoned, Council can not arrange for the removal of the car, irrespective of its condition, as citizens have the right to park a registered vehicle on the roadway.
In addition, to minimise the number of cars abandoned in the local Council area, Council has initiated a program whereby owners of vehicles can voluntarily surrender their vehicle for disposal by Council. Council will arrange for the removal of surrendered vehicles from public places only, and will not remove surrendered vehicles from private property. Contact Council on 9335 2222 for more information.
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8. How do I report a damaged footpath?
Reports of damaged footpaths can be made to Council by filling in an online form or phoning 9335 2222. After receiving a report, requests for repairs/maintenance will be inspected within 3 days, unless there is a safety issue, in which case the area will be made safe within 24 hours. Repairs will be prioritised for inclusion in the maintenance program subject to available funding. Any citizen who reports a damaged footpath will be advised of intended action as soon as possible. If it is determined that works will proceed, they will be completed within 42 days of receiving the report.
Please note however, that if the damaged area is part of a citizen's driveway, the maintenance and construction of the vehicle footway crossing is the responsibility of the property owner, as per the Roads Act 1993. As such, the cost for maintenance to footpaths located within a driveway is the responsibility of the owner.
Council will also investigate driveway/vehicle scraping to determine the cause of the scraping and recommended works required to alleviate the problem. Depending on the circumstance and the cause of the problem, the citizen may be responsible for the costs involved in fixing the problem.
A number of Subway Footpaths exist beneath the main western railway line including Petersham near Audley Street and Camperdown near Phillips Street. The subways are maintained by RAILCORP which can be contacted on 131 500.
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9. The street lights are not working in my street. Who should I report this to?
Street lighting is provided by Energy Australia. This service includes maintenance of street lighting and replacement of lamps. All requests for maintenance should be referred to Energy Australia on free call 1800 044 808 or reported via the Energy Australia website.
Council maintains white way lighting lanterns located under the shop awnings at the following shopping centres: King Street and Enmore Road Newtown; Parramatta Road Petersham; Marrickville Road & New Canterbury Road Dulwich Hill; Marrickville Road Marrickville; New Canterbury Road Petersham; Australia Street Newtown; Percival Road Stanmore; and Unwins Bridge Road St. Peters (as of 2006).
After receiving a report for repairs or maintenance, Council will inspect the lighting within 3 days, unless there is a safety issue, in which case the location will be made safe within 24 hours. Requests will be prioritised for inclusion in the maintenance program subject to available funding. If it is determined that works will proceed, they will be completed within 14 days.
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10. What services does Council provide regarding dogs and cats?
Council operates as a registration point for companion animals and provides general written information regarding registration requirements. The companion animal registration process is administered by the Department of Local Government.
You can find information on this site relating to the following topics:
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