Moree Plains Shire Council to Apply for 1.8% General Rate Rise

At Council’s Ordinary Council meeting on Thursday 21 April, Councillors agreed to a recommendation to apply to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a “one-off” 1.8% increase in the amount of General Rates Council can collect. This will bring the total increase for General Rates in 2022–2023 to 2.5%.

IPART annually reviews Councils’ General Rates and recommends a rate peg. The original ruling from IPART was a rate peg of 0.7% for Moree Plains Shire Council.  This was well below the historical average and the current rate of inflation of 3.5%.

In response to cost pressures on Local Government, the NSW Government has now offered Councils the option of applying to IPART for an additional special variation of up to 2.5%, this includes the original rate of 0.7%.

Moree Plains Shire Council Mayor Mark Johnson said the proposed rate rise was fair.

“I believe the rate rise is necessary. IPART’s baseline rate peg of only 0.7% is difficult for many Councils already facing challenges following drought, bushfires and more recent floods”, said Cr Johnson.

“If approved, the additional 1.8% General Rate rise will be directed to maintenance of roads and community infrastructure across the Shire in the next financial year.”

Councillors acknowledged if IPART did not approve the 1.8% General Rate increase, there would have to be a further review of resources and services.

Council approved an application for the special “one-off” variation and it will be submitted prior to the closing date of 29 April 2022, with a decision expected from IPART by 21 June 2022.

As part of the process, IPART will seek feedback from the public. If IPART approve the request, the Moree Plains community will also have another opportunity to have its say on whether the additional 1.8% General Rate increase is included in the 2022–2023 Annual Plan and Budget.