The people of Dorrigo, businesses and landholders of that area of the Dorrigo Plateau within the Bellingen Shire, need to be aware that the Council is applying for a rate increase of 6% for 2017-2018, instead of the pegged 1.5%.
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This is in addition to the previous increases in 2014-2015 of 11.8%, 2015-2016 of 2.4% and 1.8% of 2017-2018, and will form the basis for all future increases. The four increases, when combined, for a total of 21.7%; this increase is also applied in various measures to water and sewage, also to waste and residential charges.
The effect on Dorrigo particularly on pensioners, who form a considerable portion of the population, and who only receive the Living Index for pension increases, can only be imagined. Because of transport costs in Dorrigo, the price of items such as fuel, food and maintenance services, etc is therefore much higher.
It is suggested the people of Dorrigo, along with all the business and landholders should write to the Minister for Local Government Mr Paul Took, MP, at Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney, voicing their opposition to any increase beyond the Cost of Living Index that pensioners receive.
A copy should also be forwarded to the Premier of NSW, The Hon Gladys Berejiklian at the same address. Alternatively, they could consider signing the petitions located at Ray White and Elders Real Estates on Cudgery St.
Corporation, large businesses, charities and other organisations dealing with the public and government authorities, from time to time review their activities and administration to ensure they are operating efficiently, and obtain value for every dollar spent.
Generally they employ efficiency experts in the form of large firms of chartered accountants, which specialise in this field, this ensures independence in their assessments. It is appropriate that councils, including the Bellingen Shire Council, should also consider this ensuring their ratepayers receive the maximum benefit from the rates they pay.
I believe that the interests of Dorrigo as a rural township are quite different to that of coastal councils such as Bellingen Shire Council. It would be more appropriate if Dorrigo were incorporated into the Armidale Regional Council area.
Public exhibition of documents relating to the proposed 2017/18 Special Rate Variation
Council at its meeting held on December 14, 2016 resolved to place the Updated Long Term Financial Plan and Delivery Program on public exhibition for a minimum period of six weeks and that written submissions be invited for consideration by Council.
The Long Term Financial Plan and Delivery Program will be on public exhibition until Tuesday, January 31 and is available for viewing during normal business hours at the following locations.
Council Administrative Centre, Hyde Street Bellingen
- Bellingen Library
- Urunga Library
- Dorrigo Library
The plan can also be downloaded from Council’s website – www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au
Interested parties are invited to make a written submission regarding the documents.
Submissions will be received up until 4.30pm on Tuesday, January 31 and must be titled ‘Special Rate Variation 2017/18’ and either addressed to: The General Manager, Bellingen Shire Council, PO Box 117, Bellingen 2454.
Or submitted via email to: council@bellingen.nsw.gov.au
For further details contact council on 6655 7300 between 8.30am and 4.30pm weekdays.
Drop in sessions to discuss the rate rise will also take place in each of the townships on the following dates:
Tuesday 24 January 2017 – Dorrigo Community Hall – 9am to 12pm
Tuesday 24 January 2017 – Urunga Literary Hall – 2pm to 5pm
Wednesday 25 January 2017 – Bellingen Memorial Hall – 3pm to 6pm