On Tuesday Yass Valley Council received approval for four consecutive increases of 8.5 percent, including the rate peg, from this July. This equates to a cumulative increase of 38.6 per cent over four years and an increase that will be retained permanently in the rate base.

For council, it will generate an additional $5.3 million over the next four years. Providing learn term means for investment in infrastructure, community projects and in maintaining service levels across the Valley.

Yet, what does this mean for the Valley’s ratepayers? 

In the next financial year,  the average residential rate will increase by $63, the business rate by $183 and the farmland rate by $178. 

The Yass Valley Council has not applied for a rate increase since it was formed in 2004, and in their submission to Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), was able to show community awareness of the need for, and extent of, the rate increases. 

“[It will] ensure that we can continue to improve roads, invest in community projects and continue to provide services to our residents,” Mr Rowe explained. 

“We will continue to be proactive with conducting internal service reviews across the organisation to find cost savings and ensure we are running as efficiently as possible. These service reviews have already commenced, with our Library the first service to be reviewed.”

Yass Valley is among 12 councils that made an application for a special variation out of the 152 councils in NSW. IPART approved nine of the 12 applications. 

Despite some members of the communities holding different views about the increases, IPART Chairman Peter Boxall says the councils have provided opportunity for community input and considered the impact on ratepayers.  

“In making these assessments, we have considered each council’s long term financial plan, taking into account the financial need of the council and the capacity and willingness of ratepayers to pay the requested increase,” Dr Boxall said.

“... [Yass Valley Council] were able to meet the criteria for approval of the special variation by demonstrating a need for the additional revenue, that they had appropriately engaged the community about the proposed rate increases, and that they are taking steps to improve productivity and contain costs.”

Yass Valley Mayor Rowena Abbey has said that the SRV was essential in remaining Fit for the Future.  

“Councils across the state are still coming to terms with last week’s amalgamations announcement from the State Government,” Cr Abbey said. 

“Yass Valley escaped these mergers by proving to the NSW Government that we had a strong plan for the future, one that included financial sustainability and a strong commitment to our community.”

Documentats which outlines where money generated from the SRV will be spent is currently on exhibition on the YVC website and residents are encouraged to provide feedback, prior to Monday, May 30.

“If there are community projects that have been overlooked and you think are vital to your village or town, let us know by sending in a submission on our Operational Plan,” said Mr Rowe. 

“We want the community engaged in the process to ensure we are delivering projects that the community wants.”