The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has opened its public consultation for Tamworth Regional Council’s application seeking a Special Rate Variation.
Tamworth Regional Council resolved to proceed with an application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a permanent Special Rate Variation (SRV) of 36.3% over two years last November. Tamworth Region Mayor Russell Webb said the difficult decision was made recognising the community’s feedback while also trying to ensure Council’s financial future, addressing the widening gap between Council’s income level and the growing costs of providing current services and infrastructure.
The significant rates hike has substantial opposition but TRC says they need it to ‘secure the financial future for the region’. During their own consultation process, TRC received more than 850 submissions from the community.
The application is published on the IPART website www.ipart.nsw.gov.au along with information about how it assesses applications, including a five-minute survey on how to provide feedback.
The IPART consultation is open for 20 days and decisions about the application is expected to be published on the IPART website by May 2024.
The application for the 36.3% rate hike comprises a variation of 18.5 per cent from July 1, 2024-25 (including the set rate peg of 4.9%) and 15% in 2025-26 (including the forecast 2.5% rate peg).
Council has a range of information about the proposed Special Rate Variation at
www.haveyoursay.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/srv
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