Shoalhaven councillors stall rate rise after hour-long feud

Despite intense opposition from hundreds of residents and five councillors, the special rate variation of 13.2 per cent has been adopted by Shoalhaven City Council for the upcoming financial year.

The rate rise, approved by the Independent Pricing and Regularly Tribunal in May, and by council on Thursday, will provide a $7.1 million boost to council’s revenue.

Council plans to spend $4.4 million on roads, $500,000 on streetscapes, $200,000 on parks and $200,000 on buildings.

Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley welcomed the rate rise.

“I am very pleased that council will now be able to deliver essential road upgrades for areas that have been crying out for assistance,” she said.

“Council understands that the additional request for the community to contribute more in their rates may be difficult for some members of the community and we do have a hardship policy in place to be able to assist those people.

“The community has also clearly said that we need to work hard to continue to find internal savings, efficiencies and work to maintaining a balanced budget.

In response to this council has also resolved to continue over the next four years to work towards reducing the deficit.”