Council endorses application for Special Rate Variation

At the Council Meeting held yesterday 27 January 2021 Armidale Regional Council endorsed a Special Rate Variation application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for option 2, the continuation of a temporary SRV to a permanent SRV of 8.5% plus the 2.0% rate peg.

On the 2 November 2020 Council commenced community consultation on three options for consideration by the community on a proposed Special Rate Variation application to IPART.

The three SRV options presented to the community included:

Option 1 - A permanent SRV of 18.5% plus 2.0% rate peg (total 20.5%) commencing in 2021-22

Option 2- A permanent SRV of 8.5% plus 2.0% rate peg (total 10.5%) commencing in 2021-22

Option 3 - Discontinuation of the temporary SRV of 10% (above the rate peg) applied by the former Armidale Dumaresq Council and ending on 30 June 2021

The report presented to Council for consideration at yesterday’s meeting comprehensively summarised community feedback during the six week consultation and indicated a community concerned about the difficult economic conditions ahead for the region and the impact an increase would have on residents’ ability to make ends meet.

Mayor Ian Tiley said that even though he voted for the option to increase rates by 20.5% securing Council’s financial position and improving services to the community he respected the decision of his colleagues.

“This has been a difficult decision to make for the elected body, particularly now as we rebuild economic confidence after the drought and pandemic have impacted our region heavily,” said Mayor Tiley

“Sometimes in Local Government tough decisions have to be made and even though I believe we should be dealing with the issue now rather than for a new elected Council in September this decision means a reprieve for ratepayers with no changes to what they are currently paying.”

Council’s application to IPART must be submitted by 8 February 2021. Members of the community will be able to make a submission directly to IPART. IPART will take comments and enquiries from ratepayers as part of the assessment process. For further details on making a submission visit the IPART website ipart.nsw.gov.au

Published on 28 Jan 2021