Update: July 2019
Council adopted the 2019/20 Delivery Program, Budget and Operational Plan, incorporating the new special rate variation to bring the minimum rate to $900 from 1 July 2019. All other ratepayers whose residential rates have previously been above the new minimum of $900 per annum will only be subject to the standard rate peg increase set by IPARTof 2.7%.
Update: May 2019
Council notes the Independent Planning and Regulatory Tribunal’s determination approving Council’s Special Rate Variation application. This has been incorporated into Council’s draft 2019/20 Budget and Operational Plan and will be placed on public exhibition for feedback following Council’s consideration at its next meeting.
Update: February 2019
Sutherland Shire Council will seek a decision from Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) on its Special Rate Variation (SRV) to increase the minimum rate.
The application to vary the minimum rate is to address the growing financial challenge of maintaining community assets and services into the future. In addition, Council’s Long Term Financial Plan outlines a commitment to finding efficiencies of $54 million over the next 10 years.
As part of the IPART application, Council is required to provide evidence of the need for the variation, Long Term Financial Planning documents and results of community consultation. IPART will assess the application and notify Council of the outcome in May 2019. For further information on the IPART process please see our Frequently Asked Questions box on the right.
We would like to thank everyone who provided feedback during the 2 month community consultation program. More than 400 people submitted feedback online, face-to-face, in writing or via phone, and over 130 people attended one of 11 Information Sessions to speak with Councillors and Council staff. Key themes identified during consultation will inform ongoing discussions with our community and we thank everyone who participated.
A wrap up of the consultation results will be available in mid February.
Overview
Sutherland Shire Council’s rates model hasn’t changed in decades. Council has now reviewed this model and is proposing a fairer way forward for our community.
Council’s services are available for the whole community to utilise and enjoy, and as a community everyone needs to share the costs fairly.
The Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) is one of our key planning documents that outlines how we are working towards financial sustainability. The draft consultative LTFP details the rates model that is under consideration and the efficiency targets we are working towards. You can view the draft consultative LTFP document here and we welcome your feedback.
Council’s current rate structure is based upon land value only, not the market value (land and dwelling). A minimum rate is applicable for most units and apartments, and some villas, town houses and duplex - this is currently set at $602. For the majority of these dwelling types in the Sutherland Shire, this amount is significantly less than houses of comparable market value. The proposal is to raise the minimum to $900.
We will look at ways to minimise the impact on those in our community experiencing hardship.
We want to hear what you think about the proposed model as outlined in the draft Long Term Financial Plan, along with any suggestions for improvements that you may have.
The community consultation will close at 5pm, Monday 4 February 2019.
