Wingecarribee Shire will seek approval for an annual 12 per cent increase in rate revenue over the next three years to fund the next stages of its Infrastructure Renewal Strategy (IRS).

Council voted this week to apply to Minister for Local Government Tony Kelly for approval for special rate variations for the years 2005/06. 2006/07 and 2007/08.

The rate increases will fund the third, fourth and fifth stages of the IRS.

In the previous two years, council has been required to apply to the Minister for rating variations each year.

However, amendments to the Local Government Act in 2004 will allow the council to apply for permanent special variations in rating income for a period of up to seven years.

In previous discussions with Wingecarribee Shire Council, the Department of Local Government has indicated that an application for a rate variation for the final stages of the five-year rating strategy would be considered favourably.

The increased rates are expected to generate $1.44 million in additional revenue in 2005/06, $1.61 million in 2006/07 and $1.81 million in 2007/08.

Additional revenue raised in 2004/05 was used to upgrade sporting fields, maintain playground equipment, landscape roundabouts, mow cycleways and maintain trees, as well as bushfire management, roadside mowing, bushcare projects and maintaining swimming pools and floral gardens.

Revenue from the final three-years of the rating strategy would continue the program of renovation and maintenance but also allow council to consider major projects such as the leisure centre.

At Wednesday's council meeting, Cr Paul Tuddenham moved that council apply for the variation over three years and prepare a draft program of works for Stages 3, 4 and 5 of the strategy.

"Council took a tough call to go with the rating increase, but we have had minimal opposition and I believe this is because people can see what has been done," he said.