Council Reviews Community Feedback

From July to September 2021 Council undertook community consultation and received feedback from the community regarding the potential introduction of a Special Rate Variation (SRV).

After reviewing this feedback and budget and financial forecast advice from Morrison Low at the October Council Meeting, Council resolved to lodge a Notice of Intent to Apply for a Special Rate Variation with the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal before November 2021 for an SRV of 17.5% in 2022/23 and 17.5% in 2023/24.

The decision instructed Council staff to:

• proceed with the development of an application for consideration by the new Council in January 2022
• develop and deliver information and opportunities for feedback to the community on the SRV of 17.5%+17.5% (including rate peg) between 25 October and 28 November 2021
• place the updated Long-Term Financial Plan reflecting the proposed SRV on public exhibition
• develop a report on the community consultation outcomes, along with the completed Special Variation Application for consideration and determination of an application for a Special Rate Variation by Councillors at the January 2022 Council meeting.

At the January 2022 Council Meeting, Council resolved to lodge the application for a Special Rate Variation. IPART will now review the application and provide the community with opportunities for feedback before making a decision in May 2022.