GCC Seeks Support For Special Rate Variation

Griffith City Council is seeking support from the community to apply for a Special Rate Variation (SRV) to be implemented over a three-year period, starting from the 2024/25 financial year.

Council proposes to submit an application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (iPART), an independent body that determines the maximum councils across NSW can increase rates.

The proposed SRV seeks a 10.5 per cent increase each year for three years, inclusive of the assumed rate-pegging increase of 3.0 per cent.

This equates to a cumulative increase of 34.92 per cent over three years.

Mayor Doug Curran said these increases are necessary to sustain the current level of services provided by the Council.

“To secure the future of our community and the services and assets that we cherish and to ensure our Council is ready for the future, we need to engage our community with very mature discussionsabout why we need this Special Rate Variation (SRV),” Councillor Curran said.

“I ask that you take the time to read all of the information that we will be distributing, attend meetings and briefings or watch our online presentation, ask questions, seek to understand and provide your feedback.

“As well as the sessions listed below, we are meeting with service groups, committees and organisations in our community to have these discussions, if you would like us to do so for your group please reach out and let us know.”

During the Council Meeting on Tuesday, May 9, Council provisionally endorsed the application to IPART.

To learn more about the proposed SRV and express your opinion, please visit www.griffith.nsw.gov.au.

Residents are encouraged to attend the following sessions:

• Thursday, June 15 June, 10 am - 12noon: Kooyoo Street Kiosk - Council Cafe
• Thursday, June,22 - 5 pm: Griffith City Library
• Thursday, July, 6, 11.30 am - 1.30pm: Griffith Central - Council Cafe
• Thursday, July 20, 10 am - 12 noon: Kooyoo Street Kiosk - Council Cafe
• Tuesday, August 20, 7 pm: Hanwood Catholic Club - Community Opinion Group (COG) Meeting
• Friday, August 2023, 10 am - 12 noon: Griffith Central - Council Cafe
• In addition to the above forums, the Mayor and GM are available to address individual community organisations.

Contact Council 1300 176 077 to arrange.

Important key points to note:

• The SRV will only be applied to ordinary rates.
• Following the public consultation period, Council will consider a subsequent report in October 2023. At that meeting, Council will make a final decision on whether to apply to IPART for the Special Rate Variation.

• Topics:

• Local Council
• Finance
• Community Feedback
• Cost Of Living