The Council Meeting Business Paper from the meeting on the 25 June 2024 including the following attachments can be downloaded here.
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has released its decisions on 9 NSW council applications for special variations to increase their general income by more than the rate peg. IPART Chair Carmel Donnelly said of the 9 Special Variation applications, the Tribunal had approved 5, approved a lower increase for 3 and declined one. Blayney Shire Council recieved approval for 33.1% increase applied over 3 years. Find the detailed report on IPART's assessment on Blayney Shire Council here.
Blayney Shire Council's special variation application available for review on the IPART website, along with a short survey and information about how to lodge a submission. IPART will accept feedback on special variation applications until 11:59pm on Monday 18 March 2024. IPART will release the final decision on special variation applications in May 2024.
At the January Council Meeting, Council endorsed to make application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), under section 508(A) of the Local Government Act 1993 for increases to the ordinary rate income of:
i. 10% in 2024/25 (including the rate peg),
ii. 10% in 2025/26 (including the rate peg),
iii. 10% in 2026/27 (including the rate peg).
Representing a total cumulative increase of 33.1% over the three-year period, with that increase to be a permanent increase retained within the rate base.
The Council Meeting also included a Community Engagement and Outcomes Report with the 28 submissions lodged during the Community Engagement Period and Council adopted a revised LTFP, Delivery Program and Operational Plan, Asset Management Plans, Capacity to Pay Report and Organisational Sustainability Review and Improvement Plan. These documents and the meeting minutes are available on the Business Paper webpage and you can also watch the Council Meeting live stream.
19 January 2024 - Council Meeting documents available
The proposed Special Rate Variation is on the agenda of the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 23 January 2024. The report and attachment documents are available on the Business Paper webpage. Members of the public can present to Council at a meeting through the public forum which, pre-registration is required on our website. Forms must be submitted by 4:30pm on the day of the Council Meeting or by 9:30am for those with audio/visual requests. The Council Meeting will be live streamed on our website.
9 November 2023 - Council to commence Community Engagement
At an extraordinary council meeting held on 9 November 2023, Council endorsed the undertaking of community consultation on a potential application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a Special Rate Variation (SRV). You can watch the Council meeting or view the Business Paper here.
On this page:
Message from the Mayor
10 November 2023
At the extraordinary meeting of 9 November 2023, Council decided to commence community engagement for a proposed Special Rate Variation (SRV).
Council’s preferred option is for an SRV of 10% per annum, for 3 consecutive years commencing 1 July 2024, resulting in a 33.1% cumulative increase.
Council's Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) indicates deficits for the next 10 years. Deficits will directly impact on Council's ability and capacity to maintain the standard of our current assets, services and community facilities, including: roads, bridges, culverts, parks, footpaths and buildings across the shire.
Over the last 18 months Blayney Shire Council has undertaken a comprehensive review of its operations and service delivery. This has included two independent financial consultants undertaking a full review of our 10-year LTFP, Asset Management Plans and Capital Works Program.
Out of the process, it has been identified that rate income is needed to increase by approximately 33%. Three options exist to achieve this;
- 26.5% increase in 1 year, or
- 14% increase for 2 consecutive years, or
- 10% increase for 3 consecutive years.
In acknowledging the current cost of living pressures, Council’s preference is for a 10% per annum increase, to all rate categories for 3 consecutive years.
This has been a very difficult decision for Councillors who are seeking to be proactive in addressing this very important issue as early as possible and over 3 years, rather than a large singular increase.
Council is consulting with the community to discuss the proposed rate variation and encouraging everyone to be involved. There will be various opportunities to attend a drop-in session at various locations throughout the Blayney Shire over the next few weeks.
I and my fellow Councillors are looking forward to meeting with you, answering any questions and importantly receiving your input and feedback about the proposed SRV.
Regards,
Scott Ferguson
Mayor
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What is a Special Rate Variation (SRV)?
- Each year, the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) sets a maximum percentage increase by which a council can raise its overall rate income, known as ‘rate peg’
- For the current year (2023/24), the rate peg was 3.7%. This contrasts with CPI increases (inflation) over the last year which reached 7.8%
- Councils can apply to IPART for approval to increase their income from ordinary rates in future years by more than the rate peg. This is known as a special rate variation.
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How much is the increase?
• The SRV increase would be applied equally across all rate categories.
• The SRV increase would ONLY apply to the rate amount (Base and Ad Valorem) and NOT the total amount on your rates notice.
• Specifically, the SRV would not apply to ANY Waste or Sewer charges as they are separate business units.
Click here to see the annual average increase for each rating category (Residential, Farming, Business, Mining).
Click hereto use our rates calculator and see how much it will impact you. (You will need your current rates notice, calculator is created on excel, it may not work on mobile devices).
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Background Information
Why do we need it?
The annual IPART increases have not been keeping up with inflation levels, creating a significant shortfall.
Our Long-Term Financial Plan (LTFP) projects multiple losses over the next ten years. This is not a sustainable position for Council and the community to be in.
The SRV will assist in addressing the forecast deficits in our LTFP. The SRV will ensure we have financial capacity to maintain the standard of our assets, services and community facilities, including: roads, bridges, culverts, parks, footpaths and buildings.
What has Council done already?
Over the last 18 months Council has had 2 specialist independent consultants review Council’s financial position.
Following these 2 external reviews, Council has implemented improvements and identified additional efficiencies to consider in the future.
Why now?
Council is not seeking an instant quick fix. Even with the proposed 3 year SRV a positive operating result is not forecast until 2028.
The longer we leave it, the larger and more severe a future SRV will have to be.
If Council does not increase its rates revenue through an SRV, it will not be able to adequately fund asset renewal and maintenance.
How do our rates compare to other Councils?
Our rates are generally comparable to similar councils. Click here to download the comparisons for each rating category.
Your Council NSW also has comparison data on councils across NSW.
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Community Engagement
Council will be conducting community engagement from 10 November to 15 December 2023 on the proposed increase. A number of drop in sessions will be held across the Shire allowing residents to ask questions and provide feedback on the proposal. Feedback and questions can also be submitted via the online form below.
Drop in Sessions
Location |
Venue |
Date |
Time |
Millthorpe |
Golden Memories Museum |
Thursday, 16 November |
9am to 11am & 4pm to 7pm |
Blayney |
Blayney Shire Community Centre |
Monday, 20 November |
3pm to 6pm |
Newbridge |
Brian Bennett Pavilion |
Wednesday, 22 November |
4pm to 7pm |
Lyndhurst |
Lyndhurst Hall |
Thursday, 23 November |
4pm to 7pm |
Blayney |
Blayney Shire Community Centre |
Monday, 27 November |
9am to 11am & 4pm to 7pm |
Neville |
Neville Hall |
Wednesday, 29 November |
4pm to 7pm |
Mandurama |
Mandurama Hall |
Thursday, 30 November |
4pm to 7pm |
Carcoar |
Carcoar School of Arts |
Friday, 1 December |
4pm to 7pm |
Millthorpe |
Golden Memories Museum |
Monday, 4 December |
4pm to 7pm |
Following conclusion of that process, a report on the community engagement and feedback received via that process will be prepared and submitted to Council for consideration at an Ordinary Meeting scheduled for 23 January 2024. The due date for lodgment of an application to IPART is 5 February 2024. It should be noted that, should Council proceed in making application to IPART for an SRV, IPART will seek its own community feedback separate from Council’s processes and invite submissions from members of the public. This process is typically undertaken in the subsequent February/March.
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Get in Touch - Make a Submission or Ask a Question
The Community Engagement Period for the proposed SRV closed at 5pm on Friday 15 December 2023.
A Community Engagement Report on the proposed SRV will now be presented to Council at the Council Meeting on 23 January 2024.
Last modified:
23 Oct 2024