FAQ

Each year the NSW Government, through its rate-pegging policy, determines the percentage figure by which councils can increase their general rate income. If councils want to apply for a larger increase they need to make a Special Rates Variation application.

Council is considering applying for a Special Rates Variation of 8% a year for three years (cumulative total of 25.97%).  The first 8% increase would be introduced in 2018/19 with 8% increases again in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 financial years. The increase would be retained permanently in Council's rate base.

To estimate the impact of an 8% Special Rates Variation each year for three years from 2018/19 (cumulative impact 25.97%) on your property, simply go to our rates estimator and put in your property number.

Council needs to find $15.3 million through savings, additional revenue measures or a combination of both by 2020/21 to meet the NSW Government’s Fit for the Future Operating Performance Ratio benchmark of a greater than or equal to breakeven general fund net operating result. Council has already adopted improvement strategies that provide savings of $8.6 million in 2020/21. 

These are being achieved through either reducing or eliminating some existing programs, reducing the number of middle managers and other staff reductions - the equivalent of a reduction of 27 staff from the organisational structure in that time.

Some of the other savings measures, which will be delivered over four years from 2017/18, include:

Cost savings resulting from the new centralised Grafton depot that is due to be operating early 2018;

Improved work practices in relation to delivery of infrastructure services, including roads and open spaces;

• Revised service delivery model for community centres, tourism services, Grafton Regional Airport, library services, aquatic facilities, street sweeping, Grafton Regional Gallery, and customer payment options;
• Improved procurement practices including bulk purchasing and review of suppliers;
• Additional revenue from the  Grafton saleyards, regulatory fees, sporting fields and cemetery operations;
• Reduction of the indoor workforce, and;
• Reduction in contributions to events and festivals and the Community Initiatives Program.
• The proposal is to raise the balance of the $15.3 million through a Special Rates Variation explained above.

If adopted, such an SRV would add $10.1 million above the rate peg by 2020/21. These funds would be used first to achieve a balanced General Fund net operating result and later to meet the funding ratio gaps for asset renewal and asset maintenance.

Consultation on a possible application for a Special Rates Variation started on April 21, 2017, when councillors manned pop-up information stands at Grafton Shoppingworld. Similar pop-up stands were held in the main street of Yamba (Yamba Street) on April 28, in the South Grafton CBD on May 5, the Iluka CBD on May 12, Maclean CBD on May 19, Grafton Shoppingworld again on May 26 and Yamba Shopping Fair on June 2.

Community roundtable discussions were also held in Iluka, Yamba, Maclean and Grafton. These consultations were based on a possible Special Rates Variation of 8% a year for three years inclusive of on an assumed rate peg of 2%. This assumption was made on the basis that this was the average rate peg over the past four years.

However, in discussions with representatives from the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) Council was advised that in order to satisfy the requirements for the 2018/19 Special Rate Variation (SRV) application the assumed rate peg should be 2.5% from 2018/19 onwards, so additional consultation needs to be undertaken using IPART’s assumed rate peg of 2.5%.

Council is considering applying for a Special Rates Variation of 8% a year for three years from 2018/19 - 2020/21 (cumulative total of 25.97%).  That 8% includes an assumed 2.5% rate-peg amount allowed by the State Government. The rate peg announcement for 2018/19 by IPART is expected in late November 2017. At this stage it is anticipated Council may still require the cumulative increase of 25.97% (inclusive of rate peg) in general (ordinary) rates from a SRV starting 2018/19 to 2020/21 to be retained permanently in Council’s rate base.

However, should the actual rate peg for 2018/19 be less than the assumed 2.5% the impact of this change will be updated in Council’s Long Term Financial Plan/Delivery Plan/Asset Management Strategy and these updated documents will be reported to the community and presented to Council’s December 2017 meeting.

Council will be required to notify IPART in December 2017 whether it intends to apply for a Special Rate Variation.

Council recognises there are genuine cases of financial hardship that might result in people having difficulty paying their rates on time.

Copies of Council’s rates hardship policy and an application form are available www.clarence.nsw.gov.au or can be obtained from our offices in Grafton and Maclean or by phoning 6643 0200.

Over three years (2018/19 - 2020/21), the proposed special variation would generate revenue of $10.1 million above the assumed rate peg of 2.5% per annum. The council has proposed to spend over the period of 2018-19 to 2020-21, an additional $8.7 million on capital expenditures:

• $4.7 million on road pavements and surfacing
• $2.1 million on culverts and drainage
• $0.4 million on shoulder grading and widening
• $0.3 million on flood mitigation, and
• $1.2 million on sports facilities

Over this period, $1.4 million will also be transferred to an asset renewal reserve. This reserve will be consumed by 2023-24 as part of the renewals program for road pavements and surfacing to align with optimal renewal cycles.

If a Special Rates Variation is not adopted, it is anticipated that in most rating categories ordinary rates will rise by 2.5% a year (the assumed rate-peg) or a cumulative total percentage increase of 7.69% by 2020/21.

If a Special Rates Variation is adopted, it is anticipated that in most rating categories ordinary rates will rise by 8% a year (which includes the rate-peg amount) or a cumulative total of 25.97% by 2020/21.

The rate peg only option is not financially sustainable in the long term as it will mean infrastructure renewals aren’t performed when required thereby generating a backlog of renewal works. With the ageing infrastructure, asset conditions will deteriorate which significantly increases levels of risk and potential of failure. Levels of service will have to decrease to sustain available funding.

Without an SRV, Council would fail to meet the State Government’s Fit For the Future operating performance ratio benchmark by 2020/21 as required.

The table below shows Indicative Special Rates Variation - Ratepayer impact of scenario 1 and scenario 2 of the revised 2017/18 to 2026/27 Long Term Financial Plan - where average rate is based on estimated yield for 2017/18.

SCENARIO ONE: Base case, no Special Rates Variation (assumed rate-peg of 2.5% per annum only)

SCENARIO TWO:  8% Special Rates Variation option (inclusive of assumed 2.5% per annum rate peg) from 2018/19-2020/21 -25.97% cumulative increase that would be built permanently into Council’s rate base.