SHIRE residents took the opportunity on Tuesday to make last-minute pleas to Eurobodalla Shire Council to ditch its special rates variation (SRV) on Tuesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The council on Tuesday formally voted to implement the 6.5 per cent rate rise for three years, after the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) approved it last week.
Owen Cartledge, of Malua Bay, told council of his concerns about IPART’s consultation process, its determination that the council was overstaffed and of hidden increases on water charges.
Kerry Foster, of Malua Bay, called for council to consider the impact the SRV would have on the NSW Government’s Fit for the Future criteria.
Ms Foster said the SRV could have been a chance for the state government to consider the shire as a merger partner.
Ian Hitchcock, of Dalmeny, spoke of council’s failure to listen to significant opp-osition to the rise. He also called for staff cuts and a review of contractual arrangements.
Patricia Hellier, of Batemans Bay, reminded councillors that Bega MP AndrewConstance would soon lead a delegation to council on the SRV issue.
“We are asking this council to show you are prepared to work with the community and this will hopefully help restore confidence,” she said.
“We ask you to defer your decision today and show things can happen if people want them to happen and we all need to establish a ‘can do’ approach and find a way to work together to take this community forward.”
Cr Liz Innes requested Ms Foster’s comments be considered.
Cr Leslight said the SRV process since July 2014 was disappointing.
He said most people said “no” to the increase, but that council “presumed to know better”.
He said residents struggled to afford the cost of living.
“Our community is screaming out for vision, inspiration, and useful administration of our finances,” Cr Leslight said.
“Unfortunately, we don’t display the maturity or wisdom the community desires.
“This will be the Trojan horse of this administration.”
The recommendations to note IPART’s determination, implement the increases, note the requirement to ensure funds were spent on agreed infrastructure projects, and note the benefits the SRV would have on the Fit for the Future criteria, were carried.
Crs Innes and Leslight opposed the recommendations.
