The mayor, Dominic King states that council “is also actively pursuing other initiatives including productivity improvements, cost savings shared services and increased development. As a result ... it may not be necessary to implement rate increases in future years”.

In a letter published last week on the Courier Sun’s website I showed that, compared with other “Large Rural” councils in NSW, Bellingen Shire already had some of the highest residential rates in 2014-15 (both in absolute terms and relative to income) – and that the Shire’s total rate bill was one of the highest relative to the value of rateable land.  

Also, contrary to the assertion in the mayor’s letter that land values are now rising fast, the Office of the Valuer General tells us that total land values in the Shire rose by a modest 4.1 per cent in the year to June 2016; this was a bit less than the median increase across the Large Rural group of councils.

I also said that simple comparisons across councils suggest that Bellingen Council may have potential unrealised cost savings of between $2 million and at least $4 million annually, compared to the best performing councils in the Large Rural group.

I quite understand that, like many a well-padded individual, Council would sooner tell us about its proposed diet and exercise regime, rather than commit to a firm target for losing kilos. 

However, council has already dipped so deeply into the residential rates "cookie jar", that it needs to make a firm pledge to stay away from it for the rest of this council’s term – even if it cannot resist this one final SRV binge. 

Cost savings – rather than yet higher rates – should be paying for the improved roads and bridges which are “council's number 1 priority”. 

Given that it is now the number 1 priority, council also needs to do a much better job of planning and explaining its proposed roads expenditure – and of specifying targets and measuring the outcomes – than occurred under the previous council. 

As a rural dweller, I would like to see a Strategic Plan containing high-level targets such as “a trafficable road to every farm enterprise”, and “rural roads maintained to a standard which supports the value and marketability of rural properties”. 

These targets need to be carried through to operational targets and measurable outcomes in council’s Delivery Program and Resourcing Strategy. 

Yes, it’s important to reseal the existing bitumen. 

But council also needs to halt the deterioration of the unsealed roads, and even plan to extend the bitumen, where this would be cost-effective in the longer run. We’re getting sick of hearing visitors comment how poor the roads are in Bellingen Shire, compared to other places.

Letter to the Editor: Bellingen Shire Council – SRV

Letter to the Editor: Looking for bouquets or brickbats?

Letter to the Editor: Proposed Special Rate Variation