Ratepayers could be slugged with a 20.8 per cent overall rate increase over the next three years after Eurobodalla Shire Council resolved to apply for an additional 6.5 per cent special rate variation (SRV).
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At its meeting on Tuesday, the council voted to apply to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) to increase its rates above annual rate pegging increases by an additional 6.5 per cent for three years.
This was less than the eight per cent annual increase recommended by council’s general manager, which would have resulted in a 26 per cent compounded increase at the end of the three-year period.
The change was put forward by councillor Neil Burnside, who also recommended that the extension of Captain Oldrey Park and the Moruya Library be removed from council’s list of priority projects to be funded by the increase, if it is approved by IPART.
The recommendation was in light of council’s community consultation which showed overwhelmingly that residents were against the increase.
Cr Burnside said council needed to find a solution to its $4 million, and growing, shortfall.
"The gap in our spending against what is required to maintain our infrastructure is widening," he said.
"The decrease from 8 per cent to 6.5 per cent reflects what the community has been saying to us.
"At the same time it is justifiable."
Councillors Liz Innes and Milton Leslight spoke against the rate rise and said council was not listening to the community.
Cr Innes said there was no doubt that the community had rejected the SRV proposal.
"I am listening to our community," she said, before casting her vote.
"Council has failed to listen to our community on the Local Environment Plan, sea-level rise and now the SRV.
"We, as councillors, must take the community’s concerns into account."
Cr Leslight said the community was already "struggling" the pay bills and put food on the table.
"They can not afford a rate rise," he said.
"Council needs to live within its means.
"When is this council going to give the ratepayers value for their money?"
Councillors Fergus Thomson, Gabi Harding, Burnside, Danielle Brice, Rob Pollock, Lindsay Brown and Peter Schwarz supported the amendments.
Cr Schwarz said council was responsible for making sure it was financially stable.
"Costs are up and revenue is down," he said.
"This is a fiscally responsible measure that will leave this shire socially and economically better off in the longer term.
"It will lead to increased investment and employment opportunity for the community for the future."
Four people also spoke in public forum on the issue, all of them against the rate rise.
Dalmeny resident Ian Hitchcock also presented a petition against the rate rise, to which he said had attracted 7326 signatures.
Council will now proceed with preparing an application that will be submitted to IPART by February 16.
IPART will not determine council’s application until May 2015.
