Council Votes On Application For Special Rate Variation
Wednesday, 25 Oct 2023
Griffith City Council has resolved to proceed with an application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a permanent Special Rate Variation (SRV) of 10.5 per cent each year for three years – a cumulative permanent increase of 34.9 per cent.The decision to make an application to IPART was made at the meeting on Tuesday 24 October 2023.
Griffith Mayor, Councillor Doug Curran said, the difficult decision was made recognising the community’s feedback while also trying to ensure Council’s financial future. Council’s General Fund has been adversely impacted by rising inflation, rate pegging, a decrease in Federal Assistance Grant funding, additional unfunded responsibilities and cost shifting by the NSW Government.
“I want to sincerely thank members of our community who took the time to provide Council with feedback during the consultation period,” said Councillor Curran.
“An increase in rates is never welcome news and not something that Council wants to be doing. However, it’s important to recognise that this SRV application is not the only action Council has considered to improve overall financial sustainability.
“If the application to IPART is successful, Council is committed to ensuring the continued provision of essential services. Additionally, we will be identifying annual savings of $1 million to help maintain financial viability.”
In considering feedback from the community consultation, Council endorsed additional measures to ensure adequate assistance is provided for ratepayers experiencing genuine financial hardship. These include a review of the Financial Hardship Policy, an increase in pensioner rebates on Ordinary Rates for the period of three-year implementation of the SRV and a cap on increases to Water and Sewer charges by the assumed 3% annual rate peg for the SRV implementation period.
Independent service reviews will also be undertaken for a number of Council services to explore productivity improvements and cost containment strategies.
During the consultation process, Council received more than 150 submissions from the community. Council now intends to formally submit an application to IPART by the end of January 2024 accompanied by a comprehensive report summarising the feedback received.
Community members will have additional opportunities to provide feedback directly to IPART as part of the application process and details on how to have your say can be found on their website at https://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/
IPART will then consider the application and feedback and provide a decision in May 2024. If Council’s application is approved, the rate increase will come into effect on 1 July 2024.
The SRV Community Engagement Summary, Engagement Plan and Submissions can be viewed on Council’s website griffith.nsw.gov.au
July 2024
-
A De-lovely Morning Celebrating Cole Porter’s Greatest Hits
Monday, 01 Jul 2024Get ready to be swept away by the elegance and charm of Cole Porter's timeless music in the dazzling new production, It's De-Lovely – A Celebration of Cole Porter.
Read more
June 2024
-
Griffith City Council Adopts 2024/25 Budget
Friday, 28 Jun 2024Griffith City Council adopted its 2024/25 Budget and Long-Term Financial Plan (LTFP) at its Council meeting on Tuesday 25 June 2024.
Read more -
Have You Had Your Say On The Future Of Griffith Yet?
Friday, 28 Jun 2024Griffith City Council is calling on all residents to participate in shaping the future of Griffith through the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) Review.
Read more -
Input Sought At Drought Resilience Workshops
Thursday, 27 Jun 2024Griffith City, Murrumbidgee, Leeton, and Narrandera Councils have joined forces to develop a comprehensive Regional Drought Resilience Plan.
Read more -
Griffith Residents Urged To Refrain From Feeding Wild Birds
Thursday, 27 Jun 2024Griffith City Council is asking residents to refrain from feeding wild birds following reports that pigeons are being fed regularly around the Coolah Street area.
Read more -
Griffith Residents Invited To Naidoc Week Events
Friday, 21 Jun 2024Griffith City Council will mark NAIDOC Week with a flag raising ceremony followed by dancing and cultural activities at the Griffith City Library later in the week.
Read more -
Final Call Out For Citrus Sculpture Entries
Thursday, 20 Jun 2024Time is running out for the chance to be involved in the Real Juice Company Citrus Sculptures as part of Griffith Spring Fest 2024.
Read more -
Council Hosts Sold-out Business Planning Event
Wednesday, 19 Jun 2024Last Thursday, Griffith City Council held a highly successful, sold-out Business Planning & Strategic Thinking event.
Read more -
Sports Centre Announces Temporary Changes Due To Maintenance And Electoral Commission Use
Monday, 17 Jun 2024The Griffith Regional Sports Centre has announced a temporary change in availability of its facilities to accommodate scheduled maintenance works and to serve the community during the NSW Local Government Election period.
Read more -
Griffith City Council Community Grants Awarded
Thursday, 13 Jun 2024Griffith City Council has awarded community grants to two local organisations allowing them to deliver community-based projects. The successful Community Grant Applications for Round 2 2023/2024 were Griffith and Regional Association of the Performing Art (GRAPA) and TEDx Griffith Auspiced by Griffith Women in Business.
Read more -
Action-packed Exhibition To Open At Artspace
Wednesday, 12 Jun 2024The next exhibition in the Griffith Regional Theatre’s Artspace will showcase local photography and an historic occasion when it opens on Monday 24 June 2024.
Read more -
Griffith’s Drinking Water Supply And Quality Will Not Be Interrupted By Mi Works On Main Canal
Friday, 07 Jun 2024Murrumbidgee Irrigation is currently conducting maintenance on the main canal. As part of these works the canal has been temporarily drained.
Read more -
A Unique Out-of-theatre Experience Not To Be Missed
Thursday, 06 Jun 2024Griffith Regional Theatre, RAREBIRD ensemble and Limone Dining are presenting a one-of-a-kind cabaret show, “Love & Forgetting – Tales from a Young Mixer,” for two nights only.
Read more -
Local Artist Sophie Chauncy Exhibits "trails"
Thursday, 06 Jun 2024Griffith Regional Art Gallery is proudly hosting a new solo exhibition by Riverina based Artist, Sophie Chauncy. This is the first time Ms Chauncy has had a solo exhibition at the Gallery.
Read more -
Investment Prospectus 2024 Launched
Tuesday, 04 Jun 2024Griffith City Council is pleased to announce the launch of a new Investment Prospectus, aimed at driving jobs and economic growth in the region.
Read more -
Reminder: No Access To Banna Lane From Kookora Street
Monday, 03 Jun 2024As work on Yambil Street Stage 4 progresses, several near misses involving motorists driving the wrong way down Banna Lane have been reported.
Read more -
Get Ready To Take To The Stage For Grass Roots Open Mic Comp
Monday, 03 Jun 2024The highly anticipated Grass Roots Open Mic competition returns to Griffith Regional Theatre on Sunday 4 August at 2pm, and this year marks a significant milestone.
Read more -
Sikh Games 2024 - Traffic Management Plan
Monday, 03 Jun 2024The 26th Shaheedi Tournament (Griffith Sikh Games) will be held 8-9 June 2024 at the Ted Scobie Oval, Collina and Griffith Regional Sports Centre.
Read more
