Community Consultation

Lithgow City Council would like to thank the community for their feedback on the two proposed Options for a Sustainable Future.  Following extensive community engagement Council resolved at its meeting on 28 November to notify IPART of its intent to apply for a Special Rate Variation.

Min No. 22 -235 RESOLVED

THAT Council:

1. Authorise the General Manager to notify the NSW Independent Regulatory and Pricing Tribunal of its intention to lodge an application under Section 508(2) of the NSW Local Government Act for a permanent Special Rate Variation (SRV) 34.3% increase (plus 3.7% rate peg) in 2023/24 for the primary purposes (based on IPART categories) of:
2. Improving financial sustainability;
3. Maintaining existing services; and
4. Reducing infrastructure backlogs for asset maintenance and renewals.
5. Commit to limiting any increase in the residential, farming and business (general) rating categories to 27.7% (including the 3.7% rate peg) with the balance of the SRV funds required to be levied against the business power generation sub-category, mining category and a new quarrying business sub-category or sub-categories.
6. Note that, in the event that the future fund proposal is not finalised prior to any SRV application to IPART being completed in January 2023, Option 1 would return to Council’s original proposal of a 42% SRV (plus 3.7%) with $1.092M added back to the power generation and mining rating categories.
7. Endorse the updated Integrated Planning & Reporting documents to be placed on public exhibition for 28 days. This will include the following plans:
8. Supplementary Community Strategic Plan 2035.
9. Supplementary Combined Delivery Program 2022– 2026 and Operational Plan 2022/23.
10. Updated 2022-2032 Long Term Financial Plan.
11. Updated 2022-2026 Workforce Plan.
12. Updated 2022-2032 Strategic Asset Management Plan.

4.            Note the Community Engagement Strategy Feedback Report which is included as an attachment