FAQs
Frequently Asked QuestionsIf I prefer Option 2, will I still have an increase in my rates?
Will there be transparency around how the new rates are spent or distributed across different areas?
If Option 1 gets voted in, will we get a say on the ‘future focused new services’?
How are the rates calculated for businesses in the LGA versus homes?
• a base amount – an amount paid by every rateable property in each rating category, regardless of land value, plus
• an ad-valorem amount – a cents in the dollar amount calculated in addition to the base amount, based on the land valuation as determined by the NSW Valuer General.
The ad-valorem amount varies between the residential and business categories. Based on average land valuations, the average rating increase under Option 1 for residential households will be $4.43 per week, while for business rate payers, it will be an average of $21.48 per week.
Council has developed a Rates Calculator, which is available on the Our Place Our Future webpage
What will Council do to support people who can’t afford a rate increase?
Council has a Hardship Policy to accommodate the special needs of those unable to pay their rates in full on time and will support those who request assistance.
Council is also very pleased to maintain the Pensioner Rebate Scheme, which financially supports this important cohort in our community.
What other strategies has Council attempted to remediate the situation?
The asset maintenance backlog coupled with the need to support the community and diversify the local economy has identified that Council is not financially sustainable to continue to provide existing levels of service in either the short or the long term.
Council considers seeking a Special Rate Variation to be in the best interests for community.
How have our rates been calculated previously? Why haven’t our rates been slowly increasing at the right rate over the years to accommodate the changing needs of the Council?
In July, Councillors endorsed the need to commence broad community consultation as part of Council’s proposed Special Rate Variation application. This is a critical conversation that requires community input to ensure the communities have a sustainable future in the LGA.
How can we get involved and have our say apart from responding via a feedback form or website?
Alternatively, you can send Council an email – srv@lithgow.nsw.gov.au or contact the Mayor or your local Councillor.
An independent telephone survey has been arranged to assess residents’ views on the proposed options. This will take place in October 2022.
We feel we pay a lot for our rates already, where have you spent the money?
Council revenues fund the work required on roads, bridges, footpaths in our main streets, parks, civic centres, and sporting facilities. We support our community through ageing and disability services, youth and Aboriginal programs, building and developing
connections. We support events across our LGA and provide essential services to large parts of our community.
We are also focused on planning for the future, as much as we are on today.
You can view our Annual Reports and End of Term Reports on our website to find out exactly what has been achieved www.council.lithgow.com/council/ipr/
The Your Council website developed by the NSW Office of Local Government provides residents with access to comprehensive statistics on the operations of their local council and the profile of their local community. The website is user friendly, easy to understand and boasts detailed information about council expenditure and community facilities.
www.yourcouncil.nsw.gov.au/your-council
Important note: Lithgow Council`s Time Series Rating Revenue Data on the Your Council website for 2019/20 is incorrect due to the inclusion of sewerage special rates with residential rates income. Council’s average residential rate for 2019/20 is showing as $1,528.56 when it should be $783.07 to be comparable with other Council`s data. The correct Lithgow Council rating information for the 2019/20 Time Series Data is as follows:
Total residential rating revenue – $7,541 ($`000)
Average residential rate – $783.07
We pay our rates and trust Council to be doing the right things with our money – how did we get in this situation?
Rising costs have not kept pace with income and Council has experienced a decade of deficits in its financial operating results and expects deficits to continue in all future periods.
An external review assessed that Council requires an additional $4.75 million annually to meet existing maintenance and operating requirements – mostly related to roads.
It looks like the financial situation has been bad for years, why did you wait so long to think about how to fix it?
Rising costs have not kept pace with income that is set by IPART and challenged Council’s ability to maintain our local community’s assets and deliver the outcomes residents want.
Council has carefully assessed all options and considers seeking a Special Rate Variation to be in the best interests for community.
How will we know that the extra money will be spent on the right things?
You can view a copy of the 2022/23 Operational Plan and supporting documents on www.ourplaceourfuture.lithgow.com
Will there be an independent person involved so that we know our money is going to the right things?
Who is responsible for getting us into this mess? Is the council making staff changes to address this?
Why don’t the council staff all take pay cuts to pay for getting us into this situation?
Why don’t the council staff all take pay cuts to pay for getting us into this situation?
Council has implemented a cost savings program, for example, nearly $1M of employment cost savings in the 2021/22 year. However, the Council’s operation is stretched and additional resources, rather than fewer resources, are likely to result in greater productivity and efficiency. The lack of specialist resourcing in some areas of Council means that Council is absorbing unnecessary risk and expense.
With the cost of living going up so much now, how can we be expected to manage such a huge increase?
Council offers the Pensioner Rebate Scheme, which financially supports this important cohort in our community. Council also has a Hardship Policy to accommodate the special needs of those unable to pay their rates in full on time.
Why haven’t our rates been slowly increased at the right rate over the years to accommodate the changing needs of the council – having such a big increase suddenly will be hard to manage
If we do not resolve the issue now, the gap between what is necessary to run the City and what Council collects will continue to widen putting an even greater burden on future generations. Our rates are comparatively very low compared with similar councils and every attempt has been made to minimise the impact of the proposed SRV increase on those in our community who can least afford it.
If we choose to go with option 2, what sort of discretionary items will we be saying no to?
It is likely Council would reduce services for community and recreation facilities have less capacity to support and advocate for community services, and close unsafe facilities.
Council would continue to reduce services required in future years as revenues will not be sufficient to ensure assets reach assumed asset lives.
I only want the basics in terms of council assets and services – will I have to pay for an increase irrespective?
In the council’s vision it states that a priority for the council is developing community confidence in the organisation by the way it is directed, controlled, and managed. How can I have any confidence in the Council now that I understand it has been going backwards financially for years without doing anything different?
Council is walking up to the issue and facing it head on. We intend to be absolutely frank about the extent of the problem and how we intend to fix it.
How much did the review cost?
Lithgow LGA has been declared a disaster zone several times in recent years. That means, that council gets money for flood repairs and ratepayers don’t have to pay for such things, doesn’t it?’
There is no doubt that natural disasters have added to the resource demands on Council. It is important to note that Lithgow Council has to cover the first $154,000 of works for each natural disaster, which impacts Council’s ability to deliver critical services to the community. Natural disaster repairs are additional to Council’s annual asset maintenance and renewal program.
Council also has/and often gets large grants for much of the work that gets done around town...like the replacement of the dangerous paving on Main Street. That was granted months ago...yet nothing has been done. Where is that money?
Most grants are paid in arrears. Council usually has to fund projects in advance then claim a grant payment when an agreed project milestone is reached. Project scheduling needs to take into account Council’s resource constraints – operational staffing as well as project management for contracted works.
The Main Street footpath renewal is programmed to commence in the 2022/23 year, however, Council needs to consult with affected businesses on the best timing to commence works.
Isn’t Lithgow Council already receiving “Special Rate Increases” on top of the already exorbitant rates charged?
The Additional Special Variation was recently approved by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). The decision allows 86 Council to increase rates by 2.5%, against an inflation rate expected to reach 7% by December 2022. IPART’s decision simply acknowledged the dire financial situation created by IPART’s initial decision to cap rate rises at 0.7%.
What do land valuations have to do with my rates?
Land values are the main factor all NSW Councils use to calculate rates for residents. New land values are given to Council by the Valuer General NSW, every 3 years. The next land valuations are being completed during the coming months. It is anticipated that the General Revaluation Notices should be issued to ratepayers by the Valuer General in January 2023.
Lithgow City Council calculates rates using the land value determined for your property plus a base amount.
Can I lodge an objection to my new land valuation?
Yes, you can. You need to lodge your objection directly with the Valuer General of NSW’s office.
You have 60 days from the date you are notified of the new valuation, and this date is on the front of the ‘Notice of Valuation’ you receive from them. You can lodge online or via post, and you must provide evidence to support your objection. Information about
lodging an objection is available at: valuergeneral.nsw.gov.au/land_values/what_if_you_have_concerns/lodge_an_objection
Customers without internet access can telephone 1800 110 038 to discuss their options.
If my land value has increased, does it mean my rates will definitely go up?
No, it depends on how an individual land valuation changes when compared with the average valuation change for the city.
Generally, properties whose land valuation increase is lower than the average increase may see a reduction in rates. However, properties whose valuation increase is higher than the average for the city may see a rise to rates.
Does Council get more money because my land valuation has changed?
No, Council does not receive any extra income when land valuations change.
Council’s total income cannot exceed the percentage increase set by NSW rate peg plus any approved Special Rate Variation. If valuations increase in the city more than the rate peg, then the total rates determined by Council must decrease to offset that and keep us below the rate peg limit.
Council has implemented a cost savings program, for example, nearly $1M of employment cost savings in the 2021/22 year. However, the Council’s operation is stretched and additional resources, rather than fewer resources, are likely to result in greater productivity and efficiency. The lack of specialist resourcing in some areas of Council means that Council is absorbing unnecessary risk and expense.
The majority of Council’s investments (around $24M) are restricted reserves to use for specific purposes. It is legislated that these restricted reserves must be spent for the purpose for which they have been received (e.g. Water, Sewer, Domestic Waste). Council’s other reserves (around $6M) are held to fund specific liabilities such as employee leave entitlements and to replace plant and equipment.
If an increase of 27.7 % happens what amount will be asked for the following year?
Option 1, is for a one-off permanent total increase of 27.7% (including the rate peg of 3.7%) to residential, business and farmland rates from 1 July 2023. In future years, only the rate peg would be applied. Council`s Long Term Financial Plan forecasts the rate peg to average 2.5% per annum for future years.
Is Council $6M in debt? Or is there a shortfall in funding?
