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Council has a lower average rate for residential and business rating categories comparable to neighbouring councils. The Office of Local Government (OLG) have been releasing comparative data for all NSW councils since 1995. They classify councils into one of 11 groups. These groupings are based on broad demographic variables. Shoalhaven is classified as Group 5 along with 10 other councils (including Shellharbour and Wollongong).
A review of rating information highlights that for 23 years (1995 to 2018), our Council continuously had the lowest average rates of all Group 5 councils. It wasn’t until a Special Rate Variation was approved in 2018, that we moved from 12th place to 10th place. In addition, from 1995 to 2023, our average rates were $134 per property less than the average of all Group 5 councils. Had our rates been equal to the average, we could have levied an additional $200m in rating income during this time.
A comparison of proposed FY2025/26 Shoalhaven City Council rates to its neighbouring councils and those within SCC’s OLG Group (Group 5) is reported below.
Figures have been calculated based on Office of Local Government NSW website annual average rate information (Your Council Report - Office of Local Government NSW), IPART published rate pegs, and calculated assuming no SRV 2025-26 for each other Council represented.
Even with the proposed rate increases Council will still be below the average rate of comparable councils. Refer to the photo gallery to see how our rates compare with the proposed rate increases for 2025-26.
Council has a lower average rate for residential and business rating categories comparable to neighbouring councils. The Office of Local Government (OLG) have been releasing comparative data for all NSW councils since 1995. They classify councils into one of 11 groups. These groupings are based on broad demographic variables. Shoalhaven is classified as Group 5 along with 10 other councils (including Shellharbour and Wollongong).
A review of rating information highlights that for 23 years (1995 to 2018), our Council continuously had the lowest average rates of all Group 5 councils. It wasn’t until a Special Rate Variation was approved in 2018, that we moved from 12th place to 10th place. In addition, from 1995 to 2023, our average rates were $134 per property less than the average of all Group 5 councils. Had our rates been equal to the average, we could have levied an additional $200m in rating income during this time.
A comparison of proposed FY2025/26 Shoalhaven City Council rates to its neighbouring councils and those within SCC’s OLG Group (Group 5) is reported below.
Figures have been calculated based on Office of Local Government NSW website annual average rate information (Your Council Report - Office of Local Government NSW), IPART published rate pegs, and calculated assuming no SRV 2025-26 for each other Council represented.
Even with the proposed rate increases Council will still be below the average rate of comparable councils. Refer to the photo gallery to see how our rates compare with the proposed rate increases for 2025-26.
