Hills Shire Council is hitting residents with a 276 per cent rates rise.

Residents in Castle Hill’s Showground precinct say they’re facing the exorbitant hike in rates because the land has been rezoned, but no developments have been approved.

Local resident and spokesman for the Showgrounds Residents Matter Action Group, Paul Cook has told Ben Fordham, “we’ve got 70 or 80 year olds who have built the Hills effectively… and now their subject to rate hikes, no added income, no added council benefits, and no windfalls.”

“If you’re going to put a moratorium on development…then put a moratorium on rate hikes.”

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview

On hearing the claims by the Hills resident, Member for Castle Hill Ray Williams called Ben Fordham to say that while it is a big rate rise, the land value has also shot up by millions of dollars.

He has also hit back at claims there is a ban on developments in Sydney’s north-west, saying it “is completely incorrect…there is no moratorium Ben”.

Click PLAY below to hear the full call

Photo: The Hills Shire Council