Proposed Special Rate Variation

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has approved Council’s request for a Special Rate Variation (SRV) of 12 per cent from 1 July 2025.

The rate increase of 12 per cent, including the 3.8 per cent rate peg, will see an average increase in rates of around $3.46 a week.

IPART carried out a four week consultation period between February and March 2025 and received 46 submissions and 390 survey responses for Shoalhaven City Council. The Tribunal assessed the applications in accordance with the Office of Local Government’s criteria and based on compliance with the required criteria, the Tribunal approved the application.

Council has now adopted the 12% rate rise through the 2025/26 Delivery Program Operational Plan and Budget.

To provide more opportunity for the community to have their say, the tribunal has decided to extend the consultation period on all council applications by 1 week, closing Monday 24 March 2025 (instead of 17 March).

The updated due date is now reflected on our Special Variations 2025-26 website and will apply to both the survey and written submission process.

Our Proposed Special Rate Variation application is currently under review by IPART. They will evaluate each Council’s application based on the Office of Local Government criteria and consider feedback from all stakeholders.

To have your say, visit the IPART website to fill in a short survey or provide a submission by 17 March 2025.

Visit the IPART website here.

Following public exhibition, Council unanimously adopted the updated Resourcing Strategy 2022-26 (version 2024-25). This strategy outlines how Council will manage its finance, assets and people. The updated Resourcing Strategy includes the Long Term Financial Plan 2025-34 which outlines Council’s historical financial performance, highlights issues and risks to financial sustainability. There were 168 submissions noted on the Resourcing Strategy with the issues raised similar to the themes captured in the special rate variation engagement.

The adopted Resourcing Strategy can be assessed on Council’s website - https://www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/Council/What-guides-us/Policies-and-strategies/Delivery-Program-Operational-Plan/Resourcing-Strategy-2022-26

At the Council meeting held on 17 December 2024 Council approved the submission of a request to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a rate increase of 12% for landowners in the Shoalhaven. The application will be submitted in early February 2025 with a decision from the tribunal expected in April or May 2025.

Council conducted extensive engagement with the community regarding the Proposed Special Rate Variation throughout November including face to face meetings, community pop-up stalls and an online survey. Over 1,900 people responded to the survey.

Key findings from the consultation include:

• 98.3% are aware of the financial position of Council
• 41.4% agree that in addition to operational savings and productivity improvements, an increase in rates is necessary.
• Respondents could choose multiple investment options, with the top three being 62.9% for urban roads, 59% for rural roads, and 42.9% for stormwater drainage.
• There was concern about the affordability of a rate rise in the current cost of living crisis, particularly for residents on a fixed income, pensioners, and welfare recipients.
• The community felt that Council should be focussing very specifically on the provision of core services such as road maintenance, public works, and waste services.
• Community members provided many suggestions for alternative ways that Council could generate revenue and save money.

The full Community Engagement Report for the Proposed Special Rate Variation 2024 can be accessed here and can also be accessed from Documents tab on the right of the project page by clicking the "More.." button.