How moving ONE street away could save you $539 a year as New South Wales' most eye-watering council tax areas are revealed with some very surprising results – so where should you be living?
Homeowners and renters living in New South Wales are being hit with wildly different council tax rates, with immediate neighbours paying up to $539 less than one another.
Residents who live in the Wollondilly Shire Council, a huge region which encompasses Macarthur, Blue Mountains, the Central Tablelands and Greater Western Sydney, were slugged an eye-watering $1,810.29 annually.
Those from Blue Mountains Council coughed up $1,747.22 and Hunters Hill Council residents paid $1,736.25, according to statistics from NSW Council's Average Annual Residential Rate.
Despite being around 50km from Sydney's CBD, the areas are hit with significantly higher council tax rates than those living in the city's affluent North Shore.
Houses in Katoomba (pictured above) are a long way from Sydney's CBD, yet residents paid higher council rates than most in NSW (stock image)
Property owners from the surrounds of the City of Sydney Council paid the lowest council rates in NSW (stock image)
CHEAPEST COUNCIL TAX RATES IN NSW
1. City of Sydney - $708.40
2. North Sydney - $747.87
3. Strathfield - $785.13
4. Fairfield - $788.17
5. Canada Bay - $931.11
6. Parramatta - $950.54
7. Cumberland - $961.68
8. Blacktown - $1016.03
9. Bayside - $1017.52
10. Willoughby - $1033.28
Source: Yourcouncil.nsw.gov.au
Surprisingly, it was a very different story for ratepayers from Strathfield Council, where rates are just $785.13 and in North Sydney Council, where residents pay $747.87.
The cost for those living within the City of Sydney Council is $708.40.
Many would consider these three areas among the richest areas of Sydney, with house prices comfortably fetching more than $1million.
Those living in Camden Council, in south-west Sydney, forked out a staggering $539 less in rates than Wollondilly Shire Council home owners - which is just one street over.
Camden ratepayer and father of three Charles Ganer lives on the border between both council areas.
He acknowledged his personal circumstances were favourable compared to some of his neighbours.
'The council does a good job and I know people over the border in Wollondilly pay a lot more and consequently I think we get good value in comparison,' he told the Daily Telegraph.
'I am happy to pay rates if I feel the council is providing me with services. They certainly keep the area clean.'
Fairfield ratepayers also pay relatively low council rates at $788.17, with local Mayor Frank Carbone stating 'every dollar spent is for the community.'
Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock said if people feel their specific council rates are too high, it is best to contact relevant local councillors who can reveal what services have been introduced for community enhancement.
Most expensive average council rates in NSW (top 10 in 2018/19)
1. Wollondilly - $1810.29
2. Blue Mountains - $1747.22
3. Hunters Hill - $1736.25
4. Northern Beaches - $1426.90
5. Mosman - $1415.25
6. Ku-ring-gai - $1371.79
7. Woollahra - $1369.89
8. Penrith - $1335.96
9. Burwood - $1301.00
10. Randwick - $1295.14
Source: Yourcouncil.nsw.gov.au