Councillor Milton Leslight, who has been vocal in his opposition to the rate rise since it was first presented to council, distributed the petition with the help of friends. 

He said ratepayers must be listened to.

“I wanted people to be able to have an opinion,” he said.

“The people are entitled to have the chance to speak.”

Cr Leslight believes the community would not be able to afford the compounded 26 per cent rate increase, which would begin in the 2015-16 year if approved by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal. 

“It compounds, it isn’t just for a short term,” he said. 

“I don’t know any community that could afford this. 

“The community is battling to pay petrol, phone bills and other costs as it is.”

He said that although council needed to make good business decisions, it also needed to live within its means. 

“I don’t believe it is too late to pull the pin on it,” Cr Leslight said.  

“They (councillors) have a chance to review their decision. 

“It is just another economic burden.”

Cr Leslight said the community had already said “no” in council’s community consultation, which included random phone surveys, but their voices were not being heard. 

“The councillors feel that they know what is best and they just aren’t listening,” he said.

“It’s like the traffic lights on Perry Street, the people said ‘no’ and they are still going ahead. 

“The community is finding there is no point in arguing or raising issues with our council because they aren’t listened to.”

Cr Leslight said there were signatures on the petition from “every suburb in the shire”.

“There are more petitions jammed under my door every morning,” he said. 

“Most signatures are from people in the Eurobodalla.

“A lot of ACT people have signed it as well because they own holiday properties down here.”

The petition will be tabled at Eurobodalla Shire Council’s February 10 meeting and sent to IPART. 

“I would encourage the community to write submissions to both council and IPART about the rate rise,” Cr Leslight said.   

Submissions close on January 23. 

The petition can be found in shops in Batemans Bay, Moruya and Narooma.

Cr Leslight urged anyone who could help with distribution or collection of the petitions to contact him on 4472 4777.