As a result, over the past couple of decades various levies were imposed to create new revenue streams.

These are linked to the CPI with annual compounding increases, and are also unregulated increases.

The levies and the annual increases were expected to provide maintenance funds and funds for public assets such as playground equipment.

Most shire residents must manage on weekly incomes, and live within their means.

Unfortunately, they are unable to make submissions to government bodies such as IPART to increase their income to pay the ever-increasing costs imposed on them by council.

If an increase in council rates is approved by IPART, those on fixed incomes already paying high electricity and petrol prices will be required to find more money to pay council.

How much does council think people can really pay to live in this shire?

It really is time council became more responsible and used its revenues more wisely and efficiently.

Allan Brown, Batemans Bay