On the 23rd of May 2023 Council resolved to commence the process of preparing to apply for a Special Rates Variation to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) of NSW.
Since then, officers have given effect to that resolution by engaging with IPART and undertaking a financial modelling process to identify possible alternative options for a permanent Special Rates Variation (SRV) that would deliver the intended outcome for Council.
Today Council received a report titled, ‘5.2.1 – Application for a Special Rates Variation.’
Council was asked to consider commencing the community consultation process (only). The results of the engagement would allow a final report detailing the engagement activities undertaken, the feedback received, and a recommendation from council to IPART so that IPART could complete their assessment and subsequent determination. This motion was lost.
During deliberations a foreshadowed motion, which was mostly the same apart from extending the consultation period and subsequently deferring the formal IPART application to February 2025, was also debated. The motion was lost.
Council wishes to thank the fifty-five people who attended to hear the debate and sincerely appreciated the tremendous respect the audience showed to both the process, staff, councillors and each other.
