The Blacktown City Council will no longer increase rates, with the Mayor concerned residents were already struggling to get by.

Rates were to be hiked by 15 per cent in 2023-24 and 5 per cent the following year to permanently boost rates revenue by $25 million annually.

Blacktown Council had previously said if rates didn’t go up, then opening hours at public pools and the council library would be drastically cut.

Blacktown Mayor Tony Bleasdale told Jim Wilson he has listened to the community and can no longer support the increase.

“The feedback has been enormous, people are hurting and doing it tough.”

“I have an obligation to support and protect our community.”

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Photo: Getty