Newcastle Councillors have voted nine to four in support of a rate rise of five per cent above the 3.6 per cent cap.
If approved by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal, average residential rates will increase by $47 a year.
The extra money would help fund a 10 year revitalisation plan, which includes $42-million to upgrade libraries, $25-million for public pools and $36-million for coastal revitalisation.
Council’s expecting a decision from IPART in June.
