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Councillors to consider Special Rate Variation at next Council meeting

Councillors will consider applying to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a Special Rate Variation (SRV) at its Council meeting next week, to meet the rising costs of delivering services and maintaining and renewing the shire’s assets.

Bega Valley Shire Council main building.

11 November 2022

Councillors will consider applying to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a Special Rate Variation (SRV) at its Council meeting next week, to meet the rising costs of delivering services and maintaining and renewing the shire’s assets.

Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Anthony McMahon said the Long Term Financial Plan 2023-32 has been updated and includes three options that call for an additional increase to the shire’s rate base through an SRV.

“Over the last 10 years or so our expenses have been rising well beyond our income due to reductions in federal grants, significant cost escalations in materials and the compounding effect of multiple natural disasters,” Mr McMahon said.

“To remain financially sustainable into the future, we either need to increase our income or significantly reduce the services and assets we provide across our whole community.

“If endorsed by Councillors next week, the updated 10-year Long Term Financial Plan, which includes options to address these challenges, will go on public exhibition from Wednesday 16 November.

“An endorsement of the plan does not mean we have decided to increase rates, only that we will advise IPART we are going to discuss this with our community.

“As it stands, we do not have the funds needed to continue maintaining the community’s assets or to continue providing the vast range of services the community relies on.”

Mr McMahon said before any application is made to IPART, Council will connect with the community over the coming months to discuss the options.

“The community will be able to provide feedback via an online survey on Council’s website from 16 November, talk to Councillors and senior Council staff at local markets, town hall information sessions and an online meeting,” Mr McMahon said.

“To ensure everyone has the opportunity to provide feedback on a proposed SRV, the community consultation will continue through to 16 January 2023.

“When we have a full picture of how the community feels about a proposed rate increase, Councillors will meet again in February to decide on how we proceed.”

More information is available on Council’s website.

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