Ballina and Byron shire councils are among eight councils across NSW that have officially applied to increase their general revenue above the rate peg for 2017-18.
The rate peg set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has been set at 1.5 per cent however councils requiring additional revenue are able to apply to IPART for either single year or successive annual percentage increases above the rate peg.
These special variations can be permanent or temporary, and are assessed against guidelines published by the Office of Local Government.
Ballina Shire Council has applied for a 17.64 per cent cumulative increase over three years that would be retained permanently in the rates base, to fund renewal of core infrastructure and actions to improve the health of waterways.
Byron Shire Council has applied for a 33.55 per cent cumulative increase over 4 years to be retained permanently in the rates base, to fund additional asset renewal and maintenance.
IPART Chairman Dr Peter Boxall said all applications would be determined by IPART by mid‑May and could be applied to rates for the 2017-18 year.
‘Each application will be carefully assessed against the criteria established by the Office of Local Government with councils required to demonstrate the need for and the purpose of the additional revenue, evidence of community consultation and an assessment of the impact on affected ratepayers,’ Dr Boxall said.
‘As councils must engage with the community when assessing options for a special variation, we expect councils will have sought and considered the community’s views on the special variation.
‘Community members wishing to make submissions directly to IPART can do so until four weeks after receipt of the application, and these submissions will be considered as part of our determination.’
Full details about the assessment criteria for special variations, the detailed proposals submitted by each council and how to lodge a submission can be found at www.ipart.nsw.gov.au.
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