Wingecarribee Mayor Gordon Lewis has expressed disappointment at Minister for Local Government Kerry Hickey's refusal to reconsider limiting council rate increasing through rate pegging.
Addressing the Local Government Association (LGA) of NSW's 2005 annual conference in Mudgee this week, Mr Hickey said rate pegging - which limits rate revenue increases to around 2.5- to 3 per cent a year - would continue to be a State Government policy.
But Mr Hickey told the conference all levels of government should work together to meet increasing expectations.
"Councils cannot fall back on the old mantras of cost shifting and rate pegging as the cause of their woes," he said.
"The fact is, the community at large is very supportive of ratepegging, and it will continue to be a key local government policy for State Government."
Speaking from Mudgee yesterday, Cr Lewis said Wingecarribee Shire, along with other shires, had raised questions regarding rate pegging at the conference.
Motions considered include a motion from Greater Taree seeking exemption from rate pegging for councils seeking funds specifically to maintain and improve basic roads and bridges and a motion from Coffs Harbour seeking a greater percentage increase for councils experiencing rapid growth.
Email a friend