Richmond Valley Council are proposing a suite of rate increases and charges for residents and businesses for the 2017 to 2018 financial year.
These include:
· General rates – to increase by 5.50% consistent with the approved special rate variation
· Waste annual charge – domestic waste charge to increase by 5.18% to $447
· Waste annual charge – non-domestic waste charge to increase by 10.12% to $468
· Waste infrastructure charge – new charge of $25 introduced to contribute towards the construction of a new landfill cell at Nammoona Waste and Resource Recovery Facility, and to fund ongoing asset renewals of the waste management program
· Water annual charges – to increase by 5%
· Sewerage annual charges – to increase by 1.5% (in line with the rate peg)
‘These proposed increases are essential for the delivery of quality services, as well as helping Council maintain community assets, improve local infrastructure and carry out local government functions,’ said council’s General Manager Vaughan Macdonald
‘No one likes a rate rise, however, Council needs to address not only the revenue side of the business, but also the cost side to the equation. Like in any other business, you have to have the financial means to take care of that business.
‘The economic reality is that as costs continue to go up you need to offset that with increased revenues.
‘The cost of doing nothing is more expensive.’
The Council is currently holding meetings throughout the region to discuss the rate rises and charges with the community. Community consultation has already taken place at Evans Head and Rappville.
Upcoming public consultations are taking place at:
Broadwater: 5.30pm Tuesday 9 May Broadwater-Rileys Hill Community Hall
Coraki: 5.30pm Thursday 11 May, Brandon Hall
Casino: 5.30pm Monday 15 May, Casino Community and Cultural Centre
Woodburn: 5.30pm Thursday 18 May, Visitor Information Centre (CWA Rooms)
The Draft Revenue Policy will be on exhibition until Friday 2 June. The Policy can be downloaded from the On Exhibition page on Council’s website, or you can pick up copies from Council’s Customer Service Centres in Casino and Evans Head, and from local libraries and visitor information centres.
Submissions can be made in person at Council offices, in writing address to the General Manager, Richmond Valley Council, Locked Bag 10, Casino or via email at [email protected]
Following the public consultation process, the Policy will be fully considered by the Council at its Tuesday 27 June meeting.
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