The Byron Labor Secretary Asren Pugh has slammed the decision by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) to approve the 33.5 per cent rate rise for the Byron Shire.

Byron Shire Council’s request to have rates raised has been approved by the The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal. IPART says the approval is for a 33.55 per cent cumulative increase over four years to be retained permanently in the rate base.

Byron Shire ALP councillor Paul Spooner says the case has ‘not effectively been made’ for a special rates increase in Byron Shire and is calling on fellow councillors to delay any increase for at least a year.

The sheen is already coming off the recently elected progressive Byron Shire Council, with Byron Labor attacking the Greens-led council over its proposed major rate increases and its handling of negotiations to purchase the Suffolk Park sports field.