With a massive backlog of infrastructure and project works, accumulated over many years, the councillors recently agreed to canvas the local residents’ appetite for a spending spree by proposing a rate rise.

The Special Rate Variation (SRV) of between 6.5 and 8.5 per cent per annum over seven years is being suggested, and due to unprecedented interest in the community survey, the public consultation period has been extended until August 31.

Residents have been given an extra eight days to submit their feedback as the council continues its consultation process which has included meetings, round table discussions and information booths. A telephone survey across the Port community has been commissioned.

Mayor Ryan Palmer said the community feedback received so far had been varied. While there had been support for the increase, questions about affordability have been raised.

“The feedback I have received personally has been largely positive in favour of funding projects that have sat idle over a long period of time,” he said.

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While the majority of councillors have come out in support or a rate increase, which needs to be ratified by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal, Cr Giacomo Arnott believes the ratepayers of Port Stephens simply cannot afford such a rate increase.

The council has put forward four options for consideration, ranging from retaining the current rate peg at an estimated 2.5 per cent to an increase as high as 8.5 per cent over seven years.

With just days before deadline for residents of Port Stephens to have their say on the great rate debate, the Examiner decided to put a number of questions to two prominent ratepayers for their differing views of the proposed SRV.

Ms Wilkinson is a retired pensioner who has lived in Corlette for 15 years. Prior to that her family would regularly holiday in Port Stephens.

Ms Wilkinson is a member of the Corlette Parks Committee, Civic Pride group, Tomaree Residents and Ratepayers Association (TRRA), VIEW and garden clubs. 

She is urging all residents to complete the survey before the August 31 deadline.

Which of the four options would you be voting for and why? 

Option 3 – I have seen the backlog in infrastructure and capital work program and I am prepared to pay extra in my rates for this work.

As a pensioner, how will your rates be affected by the rate pegging? 

It’s just a matter of adjusting slightly to offset the increase.

Do you feel that the council has other options to fund the backlog of infrastructure/projects? 

I don’t believe the council has any other options. I believe the council is already applying for the maximum number of grants available.

Are there any projects on the ‘to do’ list that you would like to see completed? 

The disused car park at Donald Street, Nelson Bay is top of the agenda, followed by repairing the erosion along the foreshore of Corlette.

Port Stephens has one of the lowest rate pegging in the Hunter. Do you believe a more gradual increase would have received your support? 

I’m not sure, but I do feel the newly elected councillors were misled about the council’s real financial position and the whole merger proposal should have been better investigated.

Can you give examples of the council spending your rate money wisely and an example of ratepayers money being wasted? 

I think the council has done a great job with the facilities at both Conroy Park and Roy Wood Reserve in Corlette; I can see waste in the policy to temporarily fixing potholes on our roads.

Anna Bay’s Joan Frost is 85 and she has been a member of the local Drainage Union since 1981, a director at Nelson Bay Golf Club (1995-2007) and was Port Stephens ‘Woman of the Year’ in 2005.

The Frosts have lived on acreage off Frost Road since 1955.

Which of the four options would you be voting for and why? 

Option 1 –  [My husband] Tom is not well and it is difficult for us to farm the land so we would not be able to afford a rate increase.

As a pensioner, how will your rates be affected by the rate pegging? 

An 8.5 per cent increase will see a rise in our rates of approximately $1000 per annum.

Do you feel that the council has other options to fund the backlog of infrastructure/projects? 

I’m not sure but I think it’s fair to say that we have done our bit paying rates over the years on top of our drainage rates.

Are there any projects on the ‘to do’ list that you would like to see completed? 

The drains are a big issue for us and our property and we have been clearing them for years with the support of council.

Port Stephens has one of the lowest rate pegging in the Hunter. Do you believe a more gradual increase would have received your support?

Most definitely, particularly because it is over seven years and who knows if the rate will drop after that.

Can you give examples of the council spending your rate money wisely and an example of ratepayers money being wasted? 

I think the council has invested wisely in property over the years and receives good income. I wish they could spend their money more wisely on roadworks and roundabouts, and the money wasted on Salamander Way outside the shopping centre is ridiculous.

SRV submissions must be in to the council by 5pm on Friday, August 31. You can provide feedback in five ways:

Quote PSC 2018-02118 with your feedback.