IPART sets rate cap for 2021 at 2pc, Griffith mayor says full amount needed

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) sets the annual rate peg for all local governments in NSW, which governs how much homeowners and businesses pay for council services and infrastructure through their rates.

Griffith mayor John Dal Broi said he expected council would vote to endorse the full two per cent rise in rates ahead of the next budget.

For this year financial year, the budgeted increase in rates will be rebated to ratepayers as part of council's COVID support measures.

Councillor Dal Broi said council's financial position provided that flexibility to offer the rebate for this year, but not over the long term as services and projects were still being completed.

"I respect the decision council has made to hold back the (2020-2021) increase, but to keep up with our programs, services and infrastructure we need the two per cent," he said.

Council can choose to take the full, or partial increase or apply for a special variation to raise more funds, however Cr Dal Broi said the special variation process was time consuming.

Part of the 2021-2022 rate cap increase is to help councils pay for elections.

"We have included an adjustment of 0.2 per cent for election costs based on the expected costs for the average council in NSW," IPART tribunal member Deborah Cope said.

"This allows councils to collect additional revenue in 2021-22 to meet the costs of the 2021 local government elections," Ms Cope said.

"The adjustment will be reversed through the 2022-23 rate peg, to ensure that ratepayers are not overcharged in subsequent, non-election years."

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