Rates Cap a Con

There are fears the latest rates cap will increase financial pressure on New South Wales north coast councils.

The State Government has set rates at 2.6 per cent, down from 3.5 per cent last financial year.

Local Government Association president Genia McCaffery says residents will pay less now but future ratepayers will inherit massive debts.

Councillor McCaffery says councils are again being asked to do more with a shrinking revenue base.

“Particularly on the coast you’re faced with lots of people who want to go and live in your community but with a declining revenue base,” she said.

“So you’re facing massive problems in terms of renewal of infrastructure for a growing population, not only from residents but from tourists.

“Yet the revenue base for councils is declining.”

Cr McCaffery says councils have a backlog of infrastructure needs worth more than $6 million.

“I describe it as the great con on our communities because people feel good that they’re paying less,” she said.

“But long-term they’re creating major financial problems for the level of government that delivers the most basic services to their community.”

19 February 10

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• Rail Services Safe Says Page
• Near-Record SME Dissatisfaction with Government
• Mayor Slams Hospital Repair Estimate
• Ratepayers Take on Ballina Council
• Rudd Pledges Loyalty After Ballot Defeat
• Maccas Decision Hard to Swallow
• Page MP Declares Support for Rudd
• New Cross Border Commissioner Appointed
• Splendour Returns to Byron
• Mayor Says Help Still Available to Inghams
• Lismore Floods Leave $1m Damage Bill
• 560 jobs to go at Westpac
• Pacific Highway Open but More Rain to Come
• $2m Grafton Airport Upgrade Critical
• Gas Firm Proposes Underground Salt Solution
• Nationals Hold Clarence
• Clarence Swing to ALP Forecasted for the By-election
• Call for More Casino Police
• Clarence Candidates Quizzed on Power Privatisation
• Nationals Release Coal-Seam Gas Blueprint
• North Coast Housing Industry Takes a Hit
• North Coast Jobless Rate Falls
• North Coast Jobless Rate Falls
• Ex-mayor wins Nationals' Preselection for Clarence
• NORBEC Helps Local Businesses
• North Coast Gas Firm Hints at Future Fracking
• North Coast Gas Firm Hints at Future Fracking
• Ballina Horse Dies from Hendra
• Push to Return Splendour to Northern Rivers

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