Residents are claiming victory after Shoalhaven Council walked away from a proposed 44 per cent rate increase at an second extra ordinary meeting.
Shoalhaven Council instead endorsed a 4-point-5 per cent increase as set by IPART.
Council did endorse a 26 point plan included in an independent report and will look at cost savings such as assets sales and other efficiency measures to cover rising debt.
It followed a huge community backlash against the rate hike.
A motion calling for a 4.5 per cent increase was tabled by Councillors Patricia White and John Wells.
Councillor Wells said, ” This is a victory for the community because it means Council will be looking to improve efficiency measures and it will look at asset sales to recover value and other means to generate revenue before sticking its hands in ratepayers pockets.”
Councillor White said, ” Shoalhaven residents have had the biggest victory, there will be no 44 per cent rate increase for this year and only a 4-point-5 per cent rate increase which is the rate pegging.”
Mayor Amanda Findley said it’s disappointing and warns a rate increase will be needed down the track.
Mayor Findley said, ” The independent report did advise that Council needed to to do the rate variation as well the 26 points and I do not need a crystal ball to tell people that Shoalhaven City Council will be asking for a special rate variation in the not to distant future, likely with the next Council.
” It puts the Shoalhaven at great risk. It also means the expectations of the community will not be met and there will be a continuation in the decline in assets around the city as the report already revealed that council was not keeping up with asset renewal.”
Mayor Findley said” I am looking forward to meeting with the new CEO and going through the resolution that followed the meeting, making sure that we work together to get the results that are needed for the Shoalhaven”.
