Port Stephens Council is one step closer to implementing a 7.5 per cent rate rise after councillors endorsed to lodge its application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal on Tuesday night.
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The special rate variation (SRV) would see residents hit with an increase every year over a seven-year term.
It is expected to cost ratepayers hundreds of extra dollars per year and caused residents to rally outside the council chambers in October when the move was endorsed by councillors.
At the time Cr Giacomo Arnott described the rise as a ‘rotten proposal’ which will only add to the hardships people in the community are already facing.
Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer said the council had listened to the community’s feedback and would push ahead with the rate rise in order to fast track hundreds of projects in the area.
“At the heart of what we’re proposing is our aim to provide more for all areas of Port Stephens,” he said.
“We know that if we remain with our current rates income, we can continue our current services however we won’t be able to take on or maintain a range of new projects.
“We also know affordability is a key issue, and we’re proposing a new Rates Assistance Program to provide financial assistance to those who may be financially vulnerable.”
The application comes on the back of the council’s recent public exhibition of its Integrated Planning and Reporting documents, which detail the proposed management of a SRV, should it be approved.
Councillors endorsed Port Stephens Council’s SRV application for lodgement to IPART at an extra ordinary meeting on Tuesday.
