Mullumbimby Residents Association is urging residents to have their say on Byron Shire Council’s proposed 35.03 per cent rate rise before consultation closes tomorrow (Friday, October 30), saying important evidence supporting the increase remains unavailable.
The proposed special rate variation would increase ordinary land rates over three years from July 2027, including annual rate-peg increases. Council’s modelling puts the average residential rate at $2,379 by 2029/30, up $617 from $1,762.
The higher rate base would remain permanent. Water, sewerage and waste charges are separate.
In an email to residents, the association said it was not opposing the increase but wanted greater transparency about savings, alternatives and affordability.
‘We are not opposing the rise, and we are not running a campaign against Council,’ the association said.
‘The problem is real — our roads and drainage are in poor shape, and Council’s own comparison puts our infrastructure renewal backlog as the worst of the six councils it measured itself against.’
Council says rising labour, materials and infrastructure costs, ageing assets and the continuing financial impacts of natural disasters have outpaced its income.
Without intervention, it forecasts continuing operating deficits, declining cash reserves and deteriorating infrastructure. Additional revenue would support roads, bridges and drainage renewal, climate adaptation and financial sustainability.
The association questioned whether residents had sufficient information to assess the proposal.
‘The independent review holding the savings figures and the costed alternatives has not been published,’ it said.
‘The affordability study is not finished.’
Council has not decided whether to apply. The association says that decision is scheduled for December 3, with any application then requiring approval from the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal.
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