Port Stephens residents could be in for a rate rise next year following Council's announcement it will be applying to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a Special Rate Variation.
Council has proposed a 7.5% increase over seven years, which could cost residents hundreds of extra dollars.
The final vote on the controversial rate rise took place at last night's council meeting, with the majority voting to support the move despite community concerns over affordability.
Council's application to IPART is due by February 11, and submissions on the rate variation will then be open for public submissions for a month until March 11.
Mayor Ryan Palmer says Council realises people don't want to pay more, but it can't afford to build much-needed infrastructure without the increase.
"We've gone through an extensive community consultation period, with many consultations held over a long period of time," said Cr Palmer.
"And we realise, we want to make sure that we're catching those most vulnerable and we've introduced a Rates Assistance Program to ensure they have assistance."
West Ward councillor Giacomo Arnott voted against the Special Rate Variation, believing it could do serious harm to the city's struggling residents.
"The Rates Assistance Program looks good on paper but when you actually drill into the details it's not going to provide enough assistance for people who are going to need it," said Cr Arnott.
"It's only going to have enough money put into it to support 100 people a year, the charities are saying 200 people per year will be needing it."
The final decision from IPART is expected to be handed down in mid-May, and if approved the rate rise will come into effect at the beginning of the next financial year on July 1st, 2020.
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| Giacomo Arnott and opposers of the Special Rate Variation. Image: News of the Area |
