IN “Why so high?” (letters, Bay Post, August 26) the author compares his Eurobodalla rates to those in Canberra and Sydney.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Council rates are significantly lower in those areas because those councils do not provide and therefore do not charge for water and sewerage services.
Those services are provided by agencies such as Sydney Water and ACT Electricity and Water.
For efficiency, Eurobodalla Shire Council issues these fees for service as one rates notice.
General rates in Sydney and Canberra are comparable with the Eurobodalla’s when water and sewer charges are subtracted.
It is important to note that rates are levied for each property based on an independent valuation by the NSW Valuer-General.
The author signs his letter from Broulee, an area that is generally 2.5 times higher in valuation than the average residential valuation for the shire, therefore his general rates are at the upper limit.
I will also respond to the author’s questions about some of council’s current infrastructure activity.
Moruya swimming pool car park needs repair and expansion to cater for the increase in use of Riverside Park, including the popular SAGE markets.
The traffic lights in North Street were approved by council resolution in response to an independent assessment of safety issues raised by the community and were 50 per cent funded by a state government grant.
The exit onto the Princes Highway from Bunnings was built and funded by the developer.
Finally, the works on the Old Princes Highway are to improve car parking and road safety in response to community concerns.
Dr Catherine Dale
General manager, Eurobodalla Shire Council