Community views sought on future rate increases

MEDIA RELEASE

Community views are sought on potential rate increases for 2022-23 and beyond as Hunter’s Hill Council faces the challenge of balancing the growing gap between the cost of services and available funding.

The Council is considering four options, each with a varying impact on the services it can deliver.

It has engaged independent research group Micromex to conduct an online survey, open until 30 September, for community members to provide feedback.

Micromex will also conduct a random telephone survey between 23 and 30 September.

Information about the options under consideration is available on the Council’s website: www.huntershill.nsw.gov.au/specialrate.

Brochures are also being distributed to households.

The Council requires approval from the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) to apply a preferred option.

The Council’s Acting General Manager Nick Tobin said the organisation was facing the challenge of balancing community expectations with future financial sustainability.

“We’re seeing a growing gap between the cost of providing services and facilities and the available funding from rates to meet those costs,” he said.

“The Council has undertaken considerable work in the past three years to implement a range of productivity savings and reduce costs across our operations.

“But there are no easy solutions to addressing the gap between costs and the availability of funds to meet these costs.”

Mr Tobin said if the Council did not address this gap now, community assets would continue to deteriorate.

The options under consideration range from a base case that, if applied, would mean asset deterioration; to providing for basic asset renewal and maintenance; higher asset renewal and maintenance; or clearing the asset backlog and having a sustainable maintenance and renewal program.

“I encourage community members to take the online survey to share their views on the options under consideration,” Mr Tobin said.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jacqui Jones, Communications Officer. Phone: (02) 9879 9400

Email: jonesj@huntershill.nsw.gov.au

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