Rate increase

During the last 18 months we have made ground on doing the things we said we would. Despite these positive results we are still a long way from where we need to be in terms of our maintenance funding for programs to restore our roads. We have a yearly funding short fall of over $8 million dollars if we are to maintain our roads and bridges properly.

As David Rawlings, the General Manager, presented to the community in late 2010 and again in early 2011, we still need to raise additional funds to meet our road network needs.

In the lead up to our first community consultations Council’s budgets were reviewed, and over $1 million dollars was trimmed from the budgets. In addition Council stopped taking out loans so that we avoided any additional interest rate costs. Any further savings will result in a loss of services and service levels.

During these consultations the community groups told us that they didn't want a reduction in the services provided, so to fund our shortfall we are applying for rate increases over the next 3 years.

Council has not made this decision lightly, it is important to our way of life on the Macleay to have our roads, parks, and bridges in good working order. We cannot just not maintain our roads, many of the roads as you would be aware are in need of repair.

These pages will provide some information on where Council funds are spent and what the rate increase may mean to you. We will provide further information here over the coming months on where these funds will be spent.

We welcome your comments, and please contact us if you would like any further information.