Rate Rise Rejected

AN application by the Upper Hunter Shire Council for a 20 percent rate rise has been rejected by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).

IPART stated that reasons for rejecting the application included the Council failed to “adequately communicate the full impact of the proposed SV (special variation) to the community”and “did not adequately update their IP&R documents.”

John Preston, candidate for the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers said it was great news that the application was rejected and proved that regional Councils need to start sourcing proper funding from the state government, rather than burdening their rate payers.

“The cost shifting to regional New South Wales has to stop and I’m pleased that it did today,” said Mr Preston.

“The response from the community was heartening in two ways, the people of the Upper Hunter are now standing up for themselves and have found their voice and they are demanding a better deal from New South Wales than the one they have been getting,” John Preston said.

Mayor Wayne Bedggood said it was a “common misconception that our rates are high” and Council will now apply for grant funding for projects they would like to do in the Shire during the next fours years.

Read the full report from IPART: Fact Sheet.

Related stories:

• Damning Submissions Against Rate Rise – April 4, 2018
• Rates: There Are Other Options – Feb 8, 2018
• Editorial: Rate Variation Circus – Jan 31, 2018
• Council Apply to Increase Rates – Jan 30, 2018