THE brand new replacement playground at Rotary Park, Dalmeny was opened on Wednesday by the youngsters that selected its design.
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But the addition of new assets and infrastructure such as the new $65,000 playground goes to the heart of the current rate increase debate gripping Eurobodalla Shire Council.
Council’s director of infrastructure services Warren Sharpe was there for the opening along with mayor Lindsay Brown and councillor Neil Burnside.
Sharpe said that the rate increase was vital to pay for infrastructure around the district.
He said council’s current budget allowed for the replacement of one of the shire’s playgrounds each year, and there were 36 across the shire.
If the rate variation was approved, then council could replace two a year, which is what the maintenance schedule called for.
Similarly the new stair access at the Carter’s Beach headland had been paid for out of an environmental grant associated with the Dalmeny to Narooma shared pathway, but plans to build another viewing platform at the top of the new stairs was contingent upon the special rate variation being approved.
The first in a series of public meetings on the proposed special rate variation was held at the Narooma Library on Monday night.
About 12 or so attendees were present, along with the mayor, Clr Burnside and Clr Gabi Harding, while the general manager and director Warren Sharpe made the presentations.
Apparently concerns were raised over the ability of pensioners and low income earners to handle the rise.
There are now additional rate increase feedback sessions planned for Moruya and Batemans Bay libraries and also at the Moruya markets this Saturday.
While debate on the rates continues, the three Narooma Public School kindergarten classes who tested the new playground are not bothered.
They were just happy with the double slippery dips and the climbing frame, according to teacher Mrs Russack.
The children were asked by Eurobodalla Shire Council’s engineers to choose from three playground companies’ designs and they chose a concept by Moduplay.
"This is a way of celebrating the involvement of the school kids and recognising the help they have given council in choosing a design they liked," Sharpe said.
Council provides more information on rate variation
Eurobodalla Shire Council has responded quickly to requests from some ratepayers for more detailed information about the special rate variation proposal by adding further information, tables, charts and comparisons to its website.
The additions include tables that show what the accumulative impact of an 8% rate variation over 3 years would be in the three categories of residential, farmland and business rates. An example is how the average current residential rate of $818 would increase by $212 to $1032 in 2017-2018.
Other tables show that if a rate variation was applied, by 2017-2018 the average farmland rate would increase from $1279.72 to $1612.08 and the average business rate would increase from $2932.27 to $3693.82.
The tables show that after 3 years, rates would continue to be permanently maintained at the higher base rate which would be 25.97 per cent higher than the current rate.
General manager Dr Catherine Dale said that it was also important that residents understood that no decision has yet been made on whether Council will notify the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal that it intends to apply for a rate variation next year.
“Council will make this decision on 9 December and we are currently seeking feedback from the community so that Council can be informed about your views when they make this decision,” Dr Dale said.
“You can provide your feedback by sending a letter or email to Council. You are invited to comment on the proposal and the proposed community and transport infrastructure projects and renewal and maintenance works that could be funded through a rate variation.”
Dr Dale says a rate variation is one way Eurobodalla Shire Council could deliver some of the new projects our community has asked for and to be able to look after our community and transport infrastructure at a standard that meets community expectations in the future.
“A three year rate variation would address some of the financial challenges we face in funding the backlog of infrastructure works that grows each year and the increasing ongoing costs of maintaining and renewing infrastructure in the future,” Dr Dale said.
Other information now available on Council’s Funding our Future web hub shows that Eurobodalla’s average residential rates are lower than Bega, Palerang, Queanbeyan and Shoalhaven councils and explains that this presents challenges for how the maintenance and renewal of infrastructure continues to be funded in the future.
More information on Council’s Funding our Future proposal can be viewed at www.esc.nsw.gov.au or by phoning council on 4474 7377.
Submissions on the proposal can be made by mail and email until November 24.