Mark seems to have a very blinkered view of reality and has focused solely on Team Gash. Let’s get some facts to the story. 

In the draft operational plan, who originally proposed the 20 per cent increase to general business rates to give the Nowra CBD ratepayers a 30 per cent reduction? Not Team Gash. 

After the public exhibition, who made sure a more realistic rate was struck for 2015/16? Yes, Team Gash supported by Crs Watson and Findley. 

In respect of council’s Fit for the Future application to the state government, to demonstrate responsible financial planning for the future, who supported the rate increases for 2017-2019? Yes, Team Gash. 

Mark and another three Councillors voted against it but what alternative financial strategies did they offer? Zilch – nothing.

Mark, you cannot continue to be against decisions just to be popular and not provide any viable alternatives. Were you planning to cut $8 million dollars’ worth of services to the public? It’s also appropriate for Shoalhaven to compare itself against other “like” councils in the state. When you do so you can see that average rates in the Shoalhaven are the lowest compared to other “like” councils and we are proud that is the case. In fact, by 2016/17 our rates will be 20 to 40 per cent lower than our comparative councils.

But how realistic is it to think that we can maintain all of our services and maintain our entire infrastructure to the standard expected by our community if such a disparity continues? One reason our rates are lower than others is because Team Gash took the hard decisions in 2013/14 to drive organisational reforms that have returned almost $5 million dollars in annual operations savings.

Shoalhaven isn’t an island. We suffer the same cost pressures as other areas of the state and we all strive to keep rates low. Even with the proposed increases in 2017-2019 we will still be the lowest in our comparative group.  

P. White,

Councillor,

Shoalhaven City Council.