With this financial year's council rates notices landing in property owners' letter boxes and inboxes and the first installment due this week, Tenterfield Shire Council is preempting queries about rate rises which, for town dwellers, includes a $77 contribution to a new water treatment plant.
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Council explained in a statement that its responsibilities now extend well beyond the roads, rates and rubbish services of the past. This is particularly true in an age of state government cost-shifting to local government, the latest example of which is responsibility for management of Crown Lands.
To fund the 77 programs council now shoulders, most of which are legislated responsibilities over which it has no choice, the base rate amount has increased by 2.7 per cent as determined by IPART (Independent Pricing & Regulatory Tribunal).
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An update on each of the 77 accountabilities is presented at regular council meetings via the Monthly Operational Report, and this report is also placed on council's website for public scrutiny.
Council said Tenterfield still has the lowest rates by far of all councils in the region. It's also been fortunate to secure a number of grants over the past two years through proactive efforts to seek non-ratepayer funding particularly for bridge and road upgrades, drought and other community infrastructure.
"It should be noted that the income generated from these grants is significantly more that council's own-source revenue from rates, fees and charges in any one year.
"Our ratepayers could not afford to pay for the upgrades to our ageing infrastructure that are necessary to keep our shire communities healthy, connected and safe."
Other charges have increased by more than the base amount in order to sustain waste, water and sewer services into the future.
"While these charges may be higher than other councils in our region, given our smaller population this is to be expected," the statement said.
The new $77 Water Treatment Facility Infrastructure charge is a cost borne by all ratepayers currently liable for the water availability charge, to part-fund the cost of a new $9.35 million water treatment facility.
Mayor Peter Petty and chief executive Terry Dodds are working with the NSW Government to fund the forecast shortfall of around $7 million, a cost which council is aware can't be met by ratepayers.
"Council understands the concerns that any additional cost imposts may have on ratepayers, especially pensioners, business and rural land holders given these uncertain and dry times. A range of options are available to assist by way of Pensioner Concession rebates, flexible repayment plans, contacts for financial counselling and interest relief under Council's Hardship Policy.
"Council complies with the Debt Management & Hardship Guidelines issued by the Office of Local Government in 2018 to outline best practice approaches for councils to better manage ratepayer debt and respond to genuine hardship."
Each rates assessment also includes three waste vouchers for this financial year (July 1 2019 to June 30 2020) to help with waste disposal costs. Note that vouchers will not be replaced if lost or destroyed and redeemed vouchers are regularly audited.
To discuss an outstanding account, make a repayment arrangement or chase an undelivered annual rates notice contact council's Rates Department on (02) 6736 6000.
