Rates Are Going Up

and explained in detail why we had to do this, there was far greater acceptance of a rate rise after this process.” per cent to councillors’ remuneration and in excess of 40 per cent increase in the mayor’s remuneration will not be acceptable in any terms, at all,” Mr Polglase said.

Council sought to raise an additional $1.6 million through an SRV to cover the costs of additional cyber security, an IT upgrade, more planning staff and insurances.

“The general perception by the community will be, well there they are voting for a rate increase of 6.35 per cent, so they can claim their additional remuneration that they are entitled to under the legislation.

“They average salary increase is nowhere near those percentages.

“We should be looking at a lesser amount.”

While, Mr Byrnes has always been openly opposed to the SRV since it was proposed.

He said he couldn’t support it at a time when people were already struggling.

“There’s probably no easy door to walk through with all this, I recognise that, and the efforts of my colleagues, but as things stand out there, I just can’t support adding to the burden of people when times are very diffcult,” Mr

Byrnes said.

“I’ll touch on what councillor Polglase said – the message we send to the community tonight if we do this, is that there’s one rule for them and one rule for us.

“No one wants to ever see service cuts, and no one ever wants to increase their taxes … but those are the choices that we make.

Councillor James Owen challenged councillor Brynes and asked what services he would cut and if he would get rid of council staff.

To which Mr Brynes said: ‘can you put it in an email and in writing to me James.’

Council had sought a 2.35 per cent special rate rise on top of the four per cent pegged rate rise already approved for 2023/24.

Combined it allowed general rates to rise to 6.35 per cent for the next fnancial year.

The vote was taken as part of the adoption of the Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework 2022-2026

Delivery Program and the 2023-2024 Operational Plan, which includes Budget papers for the next fnancial year.

The decision followed the approval last week of Council’s proposed SRV by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).

Council have engaged with Tweed residents to explain the rate increase and allow residentsmany already feeling the pinch of the current cost-of-living crisis - to have their say.

Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry welcomed the decision.

“Nobody wants to see a rate rise, but ultimately Council services are all very important to our community, so I am supportive of this 6.35 per cent rate rise on the rates going forward,” Ms Cherry said.

“It was clear through our engagement process how valued Council services are.

“When we talked through the various options with residents

It also covered the cost of the removal of the Environmental Enforcement Levy. The decision will see ordinary minimum residential and farmland rates rise by $22.85 to $1,166.65 for the 2023/24 fnancial year, while ordinary minimum business rates will rise by $22.15 to $1,282.45 for the year.

Combining the minimum residential rate increase with the other typical annual charges of water, sewerage and waste, will see a rise of $104.25 for the year.

This will take the total minimum residential bill to $2,844.55 for the 2023/24 fnancial year –representing a 3.81 per cent increase.

Ratepayers are encouraged to assess the impact of the SRV on their properties by using the General Rate calculator available on Council’s website at tweed.nsw.gov.au/ general-rate-calculator. Anyone signifcantly affected by the rate

Are you interested in staying healthy while you age?

The NatMed Research Unit is investigating the use of a natural marine product on body composition and muscular strength in women

We are seeking non-smoking generally healthy volunteers (aged 40-65 years of age) for our 20 week clinical trial.

Participants will be asked to attend 3 clinics at Southern Cross University, Lismore.

This trial will NOT suit those with a shellfsh allergy, are vegan or currently peri-menopausal.

This clinical trial has approval from the Southern Cross University Human Research Ethics Committee (ECN: 2020-117).

If you are interested in participating, please contact the clinical trial coordinator Shelley Robinson.

Email marine2023@scu.edu.au increase is urged to reach out to Council at their earliest opportunity to discuss possible hardship assistance.

Tweed Shire councillors also approved the $287 million budget for 2023/24, which is comprised of three funds: $184 million from general funds, $51 million from water funds and $52 million from sewerage funds. Capital expenditure totalling $86 million is included in the Budget, with key capital works projects earmarked for the 2023/24 fnancial year including: $22 million for sewer infrastructure $15.2 million for various capital roadworks, not including food recovery works $8 million for the Murwillumbah Depot relocation $5.8 million for Waste Transfer Station infrastructure $5.2 million for the Animal Rehoming Centre relocation $5.2 million for the Clarrie Hall Dam wall raising.

Find out more about how rates are calculated at tweed.nsw.gov.au/ rates-explained.