Business Southern Highlands (BSH) has lodged a formal submission in response to Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2026–2036 and proposed Special Rate Variation (SRV), calling for greater transparency, stronger business impact analysis, and additional options for community consideration before any application is made to IPART.
While supporting Council’s goal of achieving long-term financial sustainability, BSH has identified several key gaps in the current proposal, including the absence of intermediate funding scenarios, a lack of quantified efficiency savings, and no formal assessment of the impact on local businesses.
BSH Director Peter Burnheim said the organisation recognises the financial challenges facing Council but believes the community deserves a clearer understanding of the long-term implications before decisions are finalised.
“We support a financially sustainable Council, but we also need to ensure the solutions adopted do not unintentionally undermine local businesses, jobs, investment and economic growth across the Southern Highlands,” Mr Burnheim said.
The submission outlines five recommendations, including publication of additional funding scenarios, completion of Council’s efficiency reviews, a dedicated Business Impact Assessment, and annual accountability measures should the SRV proceed.
Business Southern Highlands has offered to work constructively with Council and the broader community to ensure any future financial strategy balances infrastructure needs with the ongoing prosperity of the local economy.
