Special Rate Variation

Published on 19 September 2023

Goulburn Mulwaree Council’s Long-Term Financial Plan, adopted in November 2022 indicated the need for Council to consider a permanent special rate variation (SRV) to ensure its ongoing financial sustainability. For Council to be financially sustainable in the long term it must achieve at least a break-even result in its general fund.

An SRV allows a council to increase its general income above the rate peg, under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW).  SRVs can be for one or several years and can be temporary or permanently retained in the rates base.

If Council does not get to that position, it will not be able to undertake timely renewals of essential infrastructure like roads, bridges, sporting fields, playgrounds, and community facilities. They would deteriorate and could potentially fail.

Each year, councils wishing to apply for an SRV, apply to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) in February. The applications are assessed against criteria listed in the Office of Local Government’s Guidelines. These include undertaking long term financial planning, ensuring community awareness of the need and extent of the proposed increase in rates, and consideration of the impact on ratepayers and the community’s capacity and willingness to pay. In addition, councils must meet criteria related to productivity improvements.

Council is considering applying for a Special Rate Variation and will be undertaking a series of drop-in sessions where residents can speak with a Goulburn Mulwaree Councillor to better understand what this will mean to them.

Council’s drop-in sessions will be held at the following locations:

Tarago Town Hall on Monday 25 September from 4pm – 7pm

Tallong Hall on Tuesday 26 September from 12pm – 3pm

Marulan Hall on Tuesday 26 September from 4pm – 7pm

Windellama Hall on Wednesday 27 September from 4pm – 7pm

Parkesbourne Uniting Church Hall on Thursday 28 September from 12pm – 3pm

Middle Arm Fire Shed on Thursday 28 September from 4pm – 7pm

Goulburn Square outside Priceline Pharmacy on Friday 29 September from 2pm – 5pm

Bungonia Progress Hall on Wednesday 4 October from 4pm – 7pm

Towrang Community Hall on Thursday 5 October from 4pm – 7pm

Goulburn Marketplace on Friday 6 October from 2pm – 5pm

Goulburn Chamber of Commerce Wednesday 11 October at 7.30am

Marulan Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday 26 September from 6pm – 7pm

If you are unable to attend one of the drop- in sessions, or would like more information on the Special Rate Variation it can be found on Council’s website: https://www.goulburn.nsw.gov.au/Council/Public-Exhibition-Notices/Special-Rate-Variation