23.2 C
Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Cr Ndiaye’s response to the rate rise

Latest News

Iconic Lennox beach shed upgraded –  not demolished

Lennox Park and the shelter shed has now been upgraded and reopened.

Other News

Democracy on the ropes?

The ancient idea of democracy is under threat around the world. Today, there are only 63 democracies compared to 74 autocracies, and many of these democracies are highly problematic.

Breakfeast, Bluesfest weekend

Victoria Cosford Oh to be a cow with a four-chambered stomach system! Farmers’ market, Bluesfest long weekend, a spot of...

Mullum and Byron locals lock on at Ewingar State Forest

Byron Bay and Mullumbimby locals Emma Briggs and Bassi Brown locked onto machinery at Ewingar State Forest, in the Upper Clarence area, yesterday as they called for an end to native forest logging. 

Workshop in Creative Writing For Beginners

Have you always felt like you have a novel in you, but don’t know where to start? Or have...

Caper Byron Bay Food & Culture Festival

Caper Byron Bay Food & Culture Festival returns to Byron Bay in May, and this year ‘locals favourite’ pub...

Bruns-Billinudgel RSL marches on

Though recently the membership of the Brunswick Heads–Billinudgel RSL sub-Branch has grown, the numbers are still very low and if there is not a continual increase, this chapter faces closing.

Byron Shire Cr Sarah Ndiaye

On Thursday we voted on a rate rise of 7.5 per cent inclusive of  the rate peg. This was lower than the lowest of the proposed rate rises and by no means an easy decision to make.

Perhaps the consultation could have been clearer, and it would have helped to all of us if the time pressures didn’t force it into the summer break, but the community engaged in robust discussion and it elicited more submissions and responses than any other issue I can remember. You can be assured the submissions were read and the information taken on board during our decision making process.

We have been short changed by the state government year after year when it comes to being able to provide the services necessary for our community.  There were many suggestions made about ways to derive more revenue so let me address some of them.  I was not part of previous councils but I know from within the current council, we are unanimous in our support for continuing to pursue a levy, tax or tariff to capture extra funds from our visitors to help address their impact on our infrastructure, environment and amenities. There is no guarantee this will happen, or if it does how much regular revenue it would create. The Mayor has been communicating with other coastal councils and the appetite is definitely there to mount a campaign for it, but will the state government listen? Only time will tell.

Similarly we can approach our local festivals and see they will contribute to the cost to the community of facilitating these events in our shire. Currently there is no legislation that compels them to, so we are reliant on the goodwill of our festival owners and operators. Again, this is is only something we can hope for, not rely on.

The sale of assets would provide some short-term solutions, but the cost the community is more in the long run and if we as a council can find ways that these assets can help service the community and create income that is a better outcome for everyone, but it takes time and capital investment. Another suggestion was that we should borrow more money instead and that can be part of a good financial plan but the community end up paying more for less and it’s not ongoing. Lastly, my understanding is the idea of a road toll is not legal or possible at this stage and it’s the least likely option for deriving any revenue. The only ways we currently have to raise revenue is rates and paid parking.

I put forward the motion to raise paid parking from $3 to $4 an hour on Thursday raising an estimated 1.2 million dollars more revenue for the next financial year and it was supported by all councillors except Cr Paul Spooner. This is something easy to support in the current climate but it’s important to remember this too was very unpopular when it went out for community consultation. In that situation councillors saw it was necessary so they pushed forward, taking the community feedback on board, using the consultation to tweak and adjust how the system would work. Again, this will help but it is not the only answer.

Saying ‘no’ to a rate rise would have been easy – and popular. Given the time frames allowable for SRV applications through IPART, putting this decision off for another year would have been irresponsible and any desire to do so should be seen for exactly what it is, political opportunism. As councillors we all knew a rate rise was a necessity and that any delay would compound the backlog of issues further, resulting in more money having to be spent to complete the same repairs.

If IPART approves the SRV then the next thing we need to address is how the burden is shared. Are businesses paying enough? Could people profiting from holiday lets and Airbnb be subject to business rates as opposed to residential rates, bearing in mind as a business their council rates could be a tax deduction to some extent?

Then we will look at our hardship policy and put special provisions in place for people who are perhaps asset rich but cash poor or struggling to meet their basic needs. My feeling is it would be negligent to not go ahead because it may hurt some. Surely its better to assist them and still get the revenue from others who can contribute.

Personally I would have preferred to see a 10 per cent rise including the rate peg, I fear that the 7.5 per centwill only allow for basic road repairs, and the things that add to our community and enrich our lives will still go unfunded. Things I know the community are passionate about like bike paths, foot paths, rural roads and supporting our environment. In saying that, we will work together to get the most from what we have, and continue to pursue the options I have mentioned earlier.

By not introducing this rate rise now, the people most affected will be those with the least amount of say in it. We will be leaving today’s children an uncertain and almost unresolvable problem for their community in the future. I know everyone wont see it this way right now but I really hope people know these decisions have been made with the community interest in mind. 


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

1 COMMENT

  1. Yes dear, the SRV is unpopular, and you know why, because us ratepayers told you loud and clear ew did’t want it.
    Saying consultations could have been clearer, in reality means lack of transparency.
    Lack of transparency also means going to an election without a declared agenda for a rate rise and not answering electors questions about why we were not given a “No SRV “option on council survey.

    Reality check; 1. Listening to the community is not called political opportunism its called “listening to the community”
    2. Paid parking could have been installed at tourist hotspots of Brunswick Heads and Bangalow ( a guaranteed revenue) after the election months ago.
    3. The SRV proposal could have been put off for 12 months to see if the state government and tourist could contribute financially and if not ratepayers may have preferred amalgamation.
    4. Please. In the here and now it it is not the “unheard children of the future” who are paying the rates but people called ratepayers who even if not on benefits are still burdened by the SRV amount.
    5. Lack of community consultation is a real issue. Don’t insult residents intelligence by saying we are being heard.
    6. Tell the BSC perhaps they can afford a few picnic tables, a gravel pathway and garden beds at waterlily Park, Ocean Shore since they insulted the OS community when the Roundhouse site was sold for a pittance.
    And now we are still asked to trust you with ongoing financial management.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Govt cost-shifting ‘erodes financially sustainable local government’

Byron Shire Council looks set to add its voice to the growing chorus calling on the state government to stop shifting responsibilities and costs onto local government.

Saddle Road group home DA decision this week

Plans to build Byron Shire’s first permanent group home for women and children in housing stress are moving ahead, with the development application for the project coming before Council this week.

A health check as Medicare turns 40

If you’ll forgive the earnest tone, I’d like to propose a toast. To a friend who’s almost always there when you need them most. To a system that aims to treat people fairly and respectfully. 

Byron Council staff baulk at councillors’ promise of free parking for locals

Will Byron Council deliver on its pledge to make parking permits free for locals across the Shire when paid parking comes into force in Brunswick Heads?