ADMINISTRATIVE costs for Corowa's new $10 million aquatic centre have triggered a bid by Federation Council to raise rates by eight per cent in the coming financial year.
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Councillors this week resolved at an extraordinary meeting to apply to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal to lift rates by six per cent beyond the two per cent cap.
The special variation is needed because the pools complex, now under construction, will incur new ongoing costs for the council, mayor Pat Bourke said.
"Councillors ultimately agreed that in order for our shire to improve its livability for residents, grow our destination identity and ensure our assets, such as pools, are maintained in line with our community's expectations it was necessary to apply for a special rate variation," Cr Bourke said.
"In making the decision councillors considered a final report prepared and presented by staff which recognised the majority of the shire's residents who responded through public meetings, surveys and submissions during the consultation phases supported some level of rate increase above the rate peg amount to go towards quality infrastructure projects such as this."
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Councillor Paul Miegel said: "This is necessary for us to stay on our own two feet, going forward financially."
Mulwala-based councillor Andrew Kennedy said some of his townsfolk had questioned why they should fund the pool, but he noted it was a regional asset and he was "glad to support" the rates move.
If approved, the increase will equate to $80.28 per property or $1.26 per week, a figure which councillor Fred Longmire said was "not outrageous".
IPART is expected to announce its response to the application in May with ratepayers able to formally comment on the move and provide feedback at community meetings planned for late February in the north and south of the shire.
The aquatic centre is expected to cost $1.218 million per year to operate with $578,100 of that budget to be generated through admission and membership fees.
The remaining $640,000 is to be met through the six per cent variation.
The opening of the aquatic centre has been delayed until April after originally being planned for March.
Difficulties in tiling the 50-metre pool in radiant heat on extremely hot days prompted the need for extra time to complete the work.
The delay means the outdoor pool will not be open this swimming season, but the new indoor pool will be ready to use from opening day which will follow an official launch in the same week.
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