AN online petition against MidCoast Council’s application for a Special Rate Variation (SRV) to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is gaining momentum on change.org.
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Created by Forster resident David Poole the petition asks the council to say no to its proposed Special Rate Variation and had 284 supporters at the time of publication.
The petition reads: “MidCoast Council are proceeding with the process to implement a rate rise prior to Council elections in September. This is not democratic. The community consultation has been very poor. The community has not been listened to. This is an opportunity to tell council that you do not want them to proceed as they are presently proceeding with the rate rise.”
Mr Poole said he believes the decision to apply for an SRV should be made after the September elections.
“The whole thing is a rushed job. The people want to have a say,” he said.
MidCoast Council will hold an extraordinary meeting at the Forster Administration Centre today, May 31 at 2pm. The meeting will be used to discuss two recommendations regarding the SRV. Including:
- That council adopt the addendum to the 2016/2017 Delivery Program/Operational Plan that includes a special rate variation proposal, and note the submissions received during the public exhibition period.
- That council make an application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) under section 508A for a special variation to its general income being a four year permanent increase as follows:
- 2017/2018 - 11 per cent (inclusive of a 6 per cent Environmental Levy and the rate peg)
- 2018/2019 - 5 per cent (inclusive of rate peg)
- 2019/2020 - 5 per cent (inclusive of rate peg)
- 2020/2021 - 5 per cent (inclusive of rate peg)
The agenda’s attachments detail the purpose of the increase is to address under-funding of renewals on council's road and bridge assets and to start addressing the asset backlog.
Council was contacted for comment.
Laura Polson
Journalist with the Manning River Times.
Journalist with the Manning River Times.
