This week Council voted to apply to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a Special Variation to increase rates to improve services and ensure ongoing quality service delivery to our community (Option 3 of the proposals).

There is no question it was a very difficult decision which I know weighed heavily on every Councillor. No one wants to ask our community to pay more for services, but the gap in our income from rates has put Council’s long-term financial stability at risk.

If approved, the proposal will equate to an increase for the average residential ratepayer of $2.70 per week next year, $3.12 per week in 2026/27 and $3.60 per week in 2027/28, on top of the usual rate peg increase.

Skyrocketing inflation, increasing construction costs, loss of income from the pandemic and massive cost shifting from other tiers of government is something we cannot catch up with by cutting services alone. In fact, an average of $379 per year from your rates funds costs that were shifted to us from state and federal governments.

The existing rate cap funding model for all councils is broken and this application process is hurting communities across the state. We are aware of 5 other councils considering a rates variation this year and there are 57 others who have had IPART approve variations in the last 9 years.

Clearly the system the government has in place is not sustainable for councils and the only way we can keep on top of maintaining our pools, playgrounds, beaches, libraries etc. is to go through this difficult IPART process.

It needs a complete shake up so other councils don't suffer what our community is going through - which is exactly what the recent NSW parliamentary inquiry recommended.

Be assured, your elected Council is considering a range of other cost cutting measures including some cut already (voted on in December 2024) and there’s a detailed improvement and productivity plan, Attachment 4, page 192 of the Council Report, that will accompany our IPART application.

These savings are on top of the $29.5 million per year saved on amalgamation.

Some Councillors are proposing cancelling events including Christmas carols and New Years Eve fireworks or selling off public land and assets. While everything is on the table for consideration there is no quick fix to address the shortfall, from inflation alone, of $24 million per year needed to maintain our assets that won’t leave a massive maintenance burden for future generations.

If approved by IPART, the proposed variation in rates will allow us to better invest in roads and footpaths and to address stormwater backlogs and respond to the more frequent and unpredictable extreme weather events.

It will allow us to better protect the bushland and coastal environment that make our area so special. And we will be able to adequately fund improvements to sportsfields, aquatic centres, playgrounds, surf lifesaving buildings, town centres and more complex environmental restoration programs.

We understand this proposal will result in increased rates for our community. However, we believe it is the right way forward to manage the many challenges we face and to protect the things our community value. It will mean the difference between delivering the assets, services and infrastructure our community can be proud of, or just doing the bare minimum of repairs to keep them functional.

Once the application is submitted to IPART, they then conduct their own community consultation and will advise us of their decision around May. I will keep you updated with the details once they become available.

Unfortunately, the issue has elicited some misinformation and inaccurate reporting in the media and on social media. I encourage you to get the facts, visit the project page and use the calculator to see what the proposal will mean for your property.

Mayor Sue Heins