In a seven to two vote, councillors authorised the next step, which is to apply to IPART (the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal) to approve a special rate variation, which would retain the current 4.77 per cent special rate variation, and introduce a 4.23 per cent increase. This would be on top of the 2.7 per cent rate peg amount set by IPART.

Councillors Maree Statham and Stephen Lesslie voted against the move. 

It was a sometimes heated meeting, with frequent interjections from the public gallery. 

The floor was opened for public comment during the meeting, with six people granted the opportunity to speak on the proposal. Five spoke against the proposal. 

George Redding from Redding Motors said questions residents and businesses had remained unanswered. 

“What efficiencies and initiatives have been put in place over the last two years by the current council to curb wastage?” he asked. 

He said council had lost the confidence of rate payers and “were not ready for a rate increase”. 

Sue Graves, supporting the motion, said she would feel the pain of rate rises, as someone who lived on a small income, but said she wanted “to see the things stated be fixed”.

“I don’t like it, but I believe it needs to be done.”

There was criticism of council’s community consultation process, which occurred over the Christmas period, and the lack of a public meeting to discuss the proposal. 

Cr Steve Ring spoke passionately on council’s record of measures introduced to reduce expenditure and become ‘Fit for the Future’, in line with requirements set by the Office of Local Government. 

Cr Maree Statham spoke against the move, stating that on the back of a crippling drought and the cost of feed, the farming fraternity of Lithgow could not afford another financial hit. 

According to figures released by council, the projected total income from the special rate variation has been estimated at $1.178 million for the 2019/2020 year, with $725,000 earmarked for transport (including road and pathway maintenance), $100,000 on stormwater drainage and $250,000 on buildings. 

The application for the rate increase will be lodged with IPART by February 11. 

More to come. 

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