SA and NSW members may be aware that the states recently made changes to local council rate gathering. This includes the SA Parliament passing legislation that will now compel councils to get independent advice on any changes under consideration for rate revenue, and they will have to publish that advice. So far, only six SA Councils have made the decision to increase rates.
As well, last month Local Government NSW, the State’s peak body representing councils, applauded the NSW Government’s response to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) review into how local councils set rates. The 2016 review has had a long consultation and consideration period, with the NSW Government’s response finally released last month.
(IPART is the body that sets the maximum amount that councils in NSW can collect from rate payers for general revenue.)
Of interest to our industry are the recommendations that allow councils more flexibility in providing rate relief, including deferring rate increases. Also of note is that the NSW Government rejected the option of replacing pensioner rate rebates with a rate deferral system.
These recommendations are aimed at providing more flexibility in revenue raising for councils. They come after the NSW Government’s earlier COVID-19 measures that gave local governments the option to reduce and waive fees for businesses and residents affected by the pandemic measures.
NSW AICR members will recall those regulation changes also gave Councils the right to delay sending the first quarterly rate for 2020/21, and to extend the payment due date by one month.
More detail on the NSW Government’s response to the IPART recommendation can be found on the Office of Local Government website: https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au
Yours sincerely,
Brian Carter
Chairman