Council endorses Special Rate Variation Application lodged with IPART

At its monthly meeting in January, Council resolved to move forward with lodging an application for a Special Rate Variation of 19%, 17%, 14% and 10%, inclusive of any rate peg to be phased in over the next four years. 

Federation Council Mayor, Cr Pat Bourke said that Council was one step further in its financial sustainability journey following yesterday's endorsement of the Special Rate Variation application to be lodged with IPART. 

"Yesterday's decision was a bold and brave move by Council that could support the Federation region to thrive and further grow if approved by IPART. 

"Over the last couple of decades rates have not been set at a level where they needed to be which has significantly contributed to the underinvestment in the real cost of maintaining Council's assets and providing services that our communities value," he said.

"Council considered all community feedback after extensively engaging with our communities over recent years on service delivery and financial sustainability and we could have done nothing and watch the inevitable decline happen further of our assets and reduce services, or make the tough decisions that need to be made. We chose the latter, to ensure our communities have every chance to thrive and grow, whilst ensuring a strong focus remains on our financial sustainability and financial management for years to come.

Mayor Bourke said Council will now proceed with lodging the SRV application with IPART on February 3, 2023. 

"I wish to assure the community that Council will continue to review its service level commitments, in further consultation with the community and generate continued and sustained efficiencies across all of our service areas," he said. 

"Council will also be receiving a report on pensioner subsidies to ensure we take into further consideration the impact this rate rise would have on our most financially vulnerable within our communities, and look at continued ways to best support them. Council thanks the community for their extensive feedback and engagement and looks forward to continuing this journey side by side."   

The Special Rate Variation proposed is for four years from 2023/24 to 2026/27 at 19%, 17%, 14% and 10%, inclusive of any maximum rate peg amount set by IPART each year.  

IPART will determine the application across the following criterions: a demonstrated need for higher increases to charges; community awareness of their plans; a reasonable impact on ratepayers; a process to exhibit relevant council documents to the public; and a history of well-documented council productivity improvements and cost containment strategies.

The Special Rate Variation Application will be on the Council website and IPART website from February 3 and residents are encouraged to view the application and associated documents. A public submission opportunity directly to IPART will occur in February 2023, before a final decision will be announced by IPART in May 2023. 

Proposed average increases in to dollar value across the three rating categories of residential, business and farmland are: 

Please see the IPART website for further details, including the application assessment timeline and how you can make a submission.