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Mayor's Message - 27 March 2025 - Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick

Each fortnight, Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick shares his insights on his community conversations, ongoing project progress, events and activities. Stay connected and collaborate to share the future of our community.

Russell Fitzpatrick, Mayor of Bega Valley Shire.

Authorised by Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick

27 March 2025

Over the past week, I have presented via The Country Mayors Association about the need for better funding for regional and rural councils. In the financial year ending June 2024,  51 of the 87 NSW regional councils had operating losses for the year after capital grants. This compares to 41 councils in 2023 and 42 Councils in 2022.

Last June, 31 NSW rural and regional councils had under $1 million in unrestricted cash. In 2023, it was 38 councils; in 2022, it was 39. The losses experienced by NSW councils in the general fund and the cash position of their budgets are notable, especially considering that 85% of the financial assistance grants for the 2025 year were paid in advance.

Since 2016, Local Government NSW unsuccessfully requested that grants be restored to 1% of federal tax revenue. This was the rate until 2013 when it was frozen for three years. Currently, local government receives about 0.5% of federal tax revenue.

Despite requests to return funding to the 1%, no political party has made any commitment to return funding. This year, six additional councils have requested that IPART consider rate increases of up to 75% to meet their operational needs.

So, if you don’t like rate rises, ask your local members and candidates if their party is willing to increase funding to regional/rural councils via financial assistance grants.

On a lighter and brighter note, it was great to open the new Pambula Sporting Complex and I look forward to it being used to its maximum potential.

I recently attended a community consultation meeting at Towamba to discuss road closure and  timing concerns. It was great to have the contactor John Michelin & Son on hand and willing to change their work schedule to better help the community.

Council is undertaking a lot of road works over the coming weeks and with works being done by Transport for NSW, keep check out LiveTraffic for all road related updates.

I wish you all a great weekend. If you’d like to provide any feedback, please send me an email to RFitzpatrick@begavalley.nsw.gov.au

 

© Bega Valley Shire Council 2025

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