I was surprised to learn that mayor Lindsay Brown, on August 17, made a statement to the NSW Legislative Council’s inquiry into local government.

He recommended a move away from land rates based on unimproved value to capital improved value, which refers to the total market value of the land and improved value of the property (house, buildings, landscaping).

What does the mayor know about capital improvement values that we need to know?

How did he come to the conclusion that these rates are the best way to raise revenue for council, and how will this affect the Eurobodalla?

These are important questions because to develop a rating plan council must balance competing priorities and come up with a mixture of rates and charges that provides income for its annual budget while meeting the tests for equity, efficiency and simplicity.

Residents need to know what the mayor is advocating, and how paying rates based on capital improvement values will hit their hip pocket.

Cr Brown also recommended that rate exemptions, such as pensioner rebates should be reviewed for sustainability and equity.

It may be tiresome to hear it said over and over, but community consultation and consistency between what is said, and what is done, do matter.

Kerry Foster, Malua Bay