Question 1

What’s the difference between the CID, the City of Sydney Council and Placemaking NSW?

Accepted Answer

These three bodies have distinct roles that complement each other — they do not overlap or duplicate.
The City of Sydney Council is the elected local government responsible for the area. It manages public infrastructure, approves development, provides community services and sets local planning policy. It is funded through council rates and government grants. The CID Act explicitly states that nothing in it alters the rights, liabilities or obligations of a council — the CID does not take over any council function.
Placemaking NSW is a division within Transport for NSW that leads government-funded place activation and public realm programs across NSW. It works on government-initiated projects — public domain upgrades, green spaces, activated streets — using government funding. It is not levy-funded, not democratically mandated by the businesses of a specific precinct, and does not have the sustained, business-led operational focus of a CID.
The CID is business-led, levy-funded and democratically mandated specifically by the businesses and landowners of this precinct. It delivers programs that are explicitly additional to what council and government already provide — international marketing, the Hopper Ferry, a world-class data platform, events and activations. It is the only body with a legal obligation to deliver exclusively for this precinct, funded entirely by this precinct's businesses.
In practice the three work collaboratively. The CID's advocacy role is designed to influence and unlock government and council investment — not to replace it.
s.6(1) Community Improvement Districts Act 2025 (NSW)

Question 2

Does the CID work with the Council or against it?

Accepted Answer

With it — and the Act builds this in by design. Before a CID ballot result can be acted upon, the relevant local council must be notified and given 30 days to confirm support. If the council does not support the proposal, Transport for NSW must take that into account.
CID entities are expected to work closely with their local councils throughout the CID term — and in practice this often involves a formal written agreement or contract between the CID entity and the council, covering how the CID will avoid duplicating existing services, areas for collaboration and how disagreements will be resolved.
The New Sydney Waterfront Company has maintained regular bi-monthly meetings with the City of Sydney throughout the pilot period, and the City of Sydney contributed $40,000 in seed funding to the pilot. The relationship is collaborative by design.
s.14 Community Improvement Districts Act 2025 (NSW)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Community Improvement District?

What is a CID and how does it work?

Is this a new tax?

Does the government take a cut of the levy before it reaches the CID?

Does the CID replace what the council already does?

Why is Transport for NSW the CID Authority – shouldn’t it be a planning or business agency?

What does the CID actually deliver?

What are the main things the CID will delivery?

How much is the total program budget?

Is this Australia’s first CID?

What's the difference between the CID, the council and Placemaking NSW?

What’s the difference between the CID, the City of Sydney Council and Placemaking NSW?

Does the CID work with the Council or against it?

How does the vote work — and is it fair?

A large corporation gets one vote and a small café gets one vote – how is that fair?

What are the exact thresholds – and why do both need to be met?

What if I don’t vote – does that count against the CID?

Can big businesses or large landowners dominate the outcome?

What does it cost – and what protections exist?

What is the levy rate and how is it calculated?

Are small businesses protected from the levy?

Can I pass the levy on to my tenants?

What if the levy causes genuine financial hardship?

What happens if I sell my property mid-way through the five-year CID term?

What if I buy a property of move into the precinct partway through the CID term?

I move my business out of the precinct during the CID term – am I still liable?

I'm a tenant — do I vote separately from my landlord?

What if fewer than 25% of voters participate?

If it passes, do I still have to pay if I voted no?

Can I vote online or in person?

What if the levy causes genuine financial hardship?

My land is owned by a government agency — does this apply to me?

How do I make sure I'm on the voter roll?