SHOALHAVEN ratepayers may be asked to stump up on average $59 more in July when they pay their rates bill.
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Funds from the rate rise, totalling $10 million inclusive of last year’s increase, will go towards essential roadworks in the Shoalhaven according to mayor Amanda Findley.
While the cost to community members will be immediate, Cr Findley conceded it could be years before the roads are brought up to scratch.
“I don’t do things for votes, it's about doing the right thing,” she said.
“I know it's hard, but sometimes we have to make really hard decisions.
“You can't be a populist every single day of the year.
“I know this is not popular, I'm a ratepayer, I don't want to pay any more on my rates.
“What I don't want to do is to hand on broken-down, wrecked infrastructure to our population in 5-10 years time, who are saying, 'why are we paying twice as much now as we would have, then.'”