Where can I find accurate information about the potential rate rise?

Published on 12 October 2023

Speaking with residents at community meetings and markets over the last month has highlighted just how complex the process of setting rates, long term financial forecasting and achieving financial sustainability is for local government.

Kempsey Shire Council understands that the potential of having to increase rates to make the current service levels sustainable is not an easy conversation to have with the community.

To help answer some of the questions that have been raised and provide alternative ways of getting the information, Council has updated the resources on the Our Financial Future page.

This includes edited videos from a community briefing on topics such as:

• Why there is a need for a Special Rate Variation investigation,
• How rates are calculated, and
• Where General Fund property rates are spent.

Council also acknowledges that in challenging economic times, residents are likely to have many questions about the potential Special Rate Variation.

As such, another way to learn more about the Special Rate Variation investigation is by using the Ask a Question feature located on the Our Financial Future page on Your Say Macleay.

There are already a number of questions and answers on there that residents may find useful and insightful on topics like depreciation of assets, staffing at Council and the income and expenditure restraints on local government.

The Our Financial Future page continues to be updated regularly as engagement continues until 29 October 2023. Following this, a report and recommendation will be presented to Councillors at the Council Meeting on 21 November 2023.

Over 500 survey responses, submissions and questions have been received to date and a full report on all the engagement and community feedback will be compiled to help Councillors decide on whether the next steps in achieving a sustainable financial position will include making an application to IPART for a Special Rate Variation.

To find accurate information and have your say, head to ksc.pub/financialfuture

Take the survey                    Make a formal submission