Have your say on proposed Shoalhaven City Council Special Rate Variation
Shoalhaven residents now have the opportunity to provide feedback on proposed Special Rate Variation options under consideration by Council. At an Extraordinary Meeting this week, Council resolved to consult the community about whether they would support an increase to their rates from 1 July 2025 of:
- Eight per cent including Rate Peg
- Twelve per cent including Rate Peg
- No variation above 3.8 per cent Rate Peg.
“Over the next month we will be hosting a number of in-person events, and an online survey, to allow the community to learn more and to have their say about this proposed Special Rate Variation,” said Mayor Patricia White.
“This proposed rate increase would assist Council to prioritise some of the backlog of maintenance across our city, particularly on our roads, while we continue to find ways to reduce costs and increase revenue internally,” she said.
“It is vital that residents make their voices heard during this period of consultation so we can ensure our decision reflects the wishes of our community.
An independent review of Council’s finances in November 2023 identified an annual shortfall in the general fund of up to $35 million dollars. Council has since embarked on a range of initiatives to reduce costs and increase revenue. This year, the organisation has made $3.2 million in savings through a range of measures, including workforce initiatives such as cuts to overtime, reduced recruitment, budget control measures and changes to operating hours of services and facilities.
As part of this work, Council is conducting a thorough condition assessment of our roads and community buildings to understand the true cost of renewal. This information will be used to develop an evidence-based analysis of the amount of money required to address our infrastructure backlog during the next 10 years and beyond.
Details of the measures and strategic actions that are underway by Council to improve the financial position can be viewed on Council’s Financial Sustainability web page.
People can also register for in-person workshops to share ideas and contribute to the discussion at the below times and locations:
- Wednesday 20 November | Ulladulla Civic Centre | 5:30pm – 7pm
The updated draft Long-Term Financial Plan is on exhibition as part of the suite of Resourcing Strategy 2022-26 documents. Hard copy versions are available for viewing at Council’s administration centres and library branches.
Published 7 Nov 2024 and updated 15 Nov.
