Corowa Council will add a little extra to its rates next financial year in a bid to improve its ageing infrastructure.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The council aims to raise $300,000 more in rate revenue with a 7 per cent rate rise.
That will include a 3.6 per cent special rate variation.
Corowa’s annual rate take is among the lowest in NSW — a little more than $4 million will be collected this financial year.
The special rate application, subject to approval next year, equates to an annual rise in general rates of $25.48 in Corowa, $26.15 at Howlong and $43.60 at Mulwala.
The average farmland rate increase across the shire is expected to be $140.79.
Corowa shire’s average annual residential rates bill is $345.92 compared with the neighbouring Greater Hume Council where it is $698.
The council also manages water and sewer services and these charges will also rise next financial year.
It also has the additional pressure of bankrolling a replacement sewerage treatment plant at Corowa that is expected to cost it more than $20 million.
The council’s corporate and community services director, Kristy Kay, said more income was needed for financial sustainability and infrastructure renewal.
“Council has ageing infrastructure,” she said.
“Its renewal needs would cost as much as $44 million.
“They key need is for road renewal.”
“Each year, the council faces increasing cost pressures including an estimated 5 per cent rise in insurance costs, 10 per cent in energy and utility charges and increasing construction cost.
“Cost shifting other levels of government and award increases are among a number of other factors that have placed added pressure.”
An extra $148,588 of general rate income will be raised from the special rate on top of the $140,333 in extra rate revenue from the mandatory rate peg figure of 3.4 per cent.
Corowa Council had to notify its intention to apply for the special rate by the middle of this month and now has to wait until June for approval. The application is made to the Independent Regulatory and Pricing Tribunal.