Proposed Special Rate Variation

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To work towards fixing our assets, it is proposed that we increase our rates above the Rate Peg (3.8%) in 2025-26.

In addition to the rate peg increase of 3.8%, two other options are being proposed for community feedback and then Council’s consideration for an IPART application.

These options are:

  • 3.8% Rate Peg only (base case). Would provide $2.2 million in savings (unrestricted cash) as at end 30 June 2026 and $6.79 million for infrastructure renewal next financial year 2025-26. Likely reduction in service to achieve $10 million efficiency target. Average residential rates increase of $1.10 per week.
  • 8% includes Rate Peg (3.8%). Would provide $2.2 million in savings (unrestricted cash) by 30 June 2026 and $10.7 million for infrastructure renewal next financial year 2025-26. Continued efficiencies with possible decrease to some services to achieve $10 million efficiency target. Average residential rates increase of $2.30 per week in 2025-26.

  • 12% includes Rate Peg (3.8%). Would provide $4 million in savings (unrestricted cash) as at end 30 June 2026 and $12.7 million for infrastructure renewal next financial year 2025-26. Continued efficiencies with possible decrease to some services to achieve $10 million efficiency target. Average residential rates increase of $3.46 per week.


Complete the survey to have your say about the proposed rate increase options.

See the full list of categories and options in the photo library on this page.



Updated Resourcing Strategy

The Resourcing Strategy outlines how Council will manage its finance, assets and people to achieve the community's vision and goals. The updated draft components of the strategy currently on exhibition are:

  • Workforce Management Planning Strategy – planning for the workforce needed to deliver services to our community
  • Asset Management Strategy – how we manage the assets (like buildings and infrastructure) that Council owns
  • Information Communication Technology Strategy – making sure Council’s systems and technologies provide exceptional customer service
  • Long Term Financial Plan 2025-2034 - outlines how Council aims to provide services and infrastructure over the long term while working towards financial sustainability for current and future generations

Council has made changes to our Resourcing Strategy based on the updated draft Long Term Financial Plan, the Financial Sustainability Program and the special rate variation options. These updates include addressing asset maturity in our workforce and ICT systems.

The Draft Resourcing Strategy is currently on exhibition, and you can provide feedback here.


To work towards fixing our assets, it is proposed that we increase our rates above the Rate Peg (3.8%) in 2025-26.

In addition to the rate peg increase of 3.8%, two other options are being proposed for community feedback and then Council’s consideration for an IPART application.

These options are:

  • 3.8% Rate Peg only (base case). Would provide $2.2 million in savings (unrestricted cash) as at end 30 June 2026 and $6.79 million for infrastructure renewal next financial year 2025-26. Likely reduction in service to achieve $10 million efficiency target. Average residential rates increase of $1.10 per week.
  • 8% includes Rate Peg (3.8%). Would provide $2.2 million in savings (unrestricted cash) by 30 June 2026 and $10.7 million for infrastructure renewal next financial year 2025-26. Continued efficiencies with possible decrease to some services to achieve $10 million efficiency target. Average residential rates increase of $2.30 per week in 2025-26.

  • 12% includes Rate Peg (3.8%). Would provide $4 million in savings (unrestricted cash) as at end 30 June 2026 and $12.7 million for infrastructure renewal next financial year 2025-26. Continued efficiencies with possible decrease to some services to achieve $10 million efficiency target. Average residential rates increase of $3.46 per week.


Complete the survey to have your say about the proposed rate increase options.

See the full list of categories and options in the photo library on this page.



Updated Resourcing Strategy

The Resourcing Strategy outlines how Council will manage its finance, assets and people to achieve the community's vision and goals. The updated draft components of the strategy currently on exhibition are:

  • Workforce Management Planning Strategy – planning for the workforce needed to deliver services to our community
  • Asset Management Strategy – how we manage the assets (like buildings and infrastructure) that Council owns
  • Information Communication Technology Strategy – making sure Council’s systems and technologies provide exceptional customer service
  • Long Term Financial Plan 2025-2034 - outlines how Council aims to provide services and infrastructure over the long term while working towards financial sustainability for current and future generations

Council has made changes to our Resourcing Strategy based on the updated draft Long Term Financial Plan, the Financial Sustainability Program and the special rate variation options. These updates include addressing asset maturity in our workforce and ICT systems.

The Draft Resourcing Strategy is currently on exhibition, and you can provide feedback here.


Do you have a question about the proposed rate variation options?

Please review the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the Special Rate Variation homepage before submitting your question. 

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  • Share Can you please advise why the council is in this negative financial position? on Facebook Share Can you please advise why the council is in this negative financial position? on Twitter Share Can you please advise why the council is in this negative financial position? on Linkedin Email Can you please advise why the council is in this negative financial position? link

    Can you please advise why the council is in this negative financial position?

    Philippa Gately asked 9 days ago

    Many factors have contributed to making Council’s financial position unsustainable.

    • The impacts of consecutive natural disasters and the COVID pandemic during the last five years has significantly depleted revenue and increased operational costs. The net cost of the disasters, including subsidies and waivers on fees and charges, reduced the unrestricted cash position by $14.6 million. 
    • Rising cost of materials, labour and contractors. 
    • Increased expense of interest rates to loan borrowings. 
    • Sustained lower than average residential and business rates. 
    • Rate Pegging – the NSW Government restricts how much councils can typically increase rates by, and in recent years rate rises haven’t kept up with inflation. 
    • Millions in grant funded improvements post fires and floods means we need to put more away each year to save for maintenance and renewal – depreciation costs. 
    • Community expectations are that maintenance and replacement of assets like roads, bridges and community facilities should be improved on current levels, requiring greater investment.
    • Cost shifting by state and federal government forcing council to assume responsibility for infrastructure, services and regulatory functions without providing sufficient supporting funding. 
  • Share Storm water infrastructure is the biggest cost to replace or repair, how do you know how much is damaged in the drainage system if council does not know where it all is? How do you put a cost on something under ground what you cannot see how badly damaged it is?I would say you would need about 150 million to repair what is in the ground, which is passed its used by date of 50 years! So the rate variation will do nothing to improve the the sustainability of council? on Facebook Share Storm water infrastructure is the biggest cost to replace or repair, how do you know how much is damaged in the drainage system if council does not know where it all is? How do you put a cost on something under ground what you cannot see how badly damaged it is?I would say you would need about 150 million to repair what is in the ground, which is passed its used by date of 50 years! So the rate variation will do nothing to improve the the sustainability of council? on Twitter Share Storm water infrastructure is the biggest cost to replace or repair, how do you know how much is damaged in the drainage system if council does not know where it all is? How do you put a cost on something under ground what you cannot see how badly damaged it is?I would say you would need about 150 million to repair what is in the ground, which is passed its used by date of 50 years! So the rate variation will do nothing to improve the the sustainability of council? on Linkedin Email Storm water infrastructure is the biggest cost to replace or repair, how do you know how much is damaged in the drainage system if council does not know where it all is? How do you put a cost on something under ground what you cannot see how badly damaged it is?I would say you would need about 150 million to repair what is in the ground, which is passed its used by date of 50 years! So the rate variation will do nothing to improve the the sustainability of council? link

    Storm water infrastructure is the biggest cost to replace or repair, how do you know how much is damaged in the drainage system if council does not know where it all is? How do you put a cost on something under ground what you cannot see how badly damaged it is?I would say you would need about 150 million to repair what is in the ground, which is passed its used by date of 50 years! So the rate variation will do nothing to improve the the sustainability of council?

    Other asked 14 days ago

    Management of Council’s stormwater infrastructure is another significant challenge we face, with pockets of ageing pits and pipes spread across the LGA. While our current focus is on addressing the poor condition of the much more visible road assets, our engineers are also seeking out opportunities to improve our understanding of the condition of the stormwater network and manage those risks as best as possible as they present. This is a serious concern for us, as we have recent first-hand experience of the difficulties in repairing failed stormwater pipelines.

    Council is currently preparing an inspection camera program for parts of its stormwater network, commencing this financial year, which will initiate the proactive collection of stormwater infrastructure information targeting high risk areas based on age, soil type, pipe joint type and proximity to known failures. The addition of funds via an SRV can only help to increase our capacity to undertake this inspection work and the repairs and renewals that are expected to follow in the years to come.

     

Page last updated: 11 Nov 2024, 09:48 AM