Tamworth could be one of just seven regional towns slugged with a rate rise this year.
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Tamworth Regional Council’s much-debated events levy is now before the state’s independent pricing regulator.
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) will hand down its verdict on the council’s events levy by the middle of May, which will clear the path for the council to impose the rate rise from July 1.
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The proposed levy, if approved, will slug local businesses with a 11.8 per cent rate rise over the next four years to create a new fund to attract events to the city.
Most of the 13 councils seeking rate rises appear to need to address infrastructure issues and shore-up “financial sustainability”, but the Tamworth application could be seen as the only one with a business focus.
IPART chair, Paul Patterson, said councils had to “demonstrate the need for and the purpose of the additional revenue” and have evidence “of community consultation and an assessment of the impact on affected ratepayers”.
Councils applying for rate rises, and why:
* Burwood - 19.5 per cent cumulative increase over four years, retained permanently in the rate base, to fund renewal of core infrastructure and reduce infrastructure backlog.
* Dungog - 97.8 per cent cumulative increase over seven years, retained permanently in the rate base, to maintain existing services and essential infrastructure and improve financial sustainability.
* Hunters Hill - 9.7 per cent single year increase, partially retained permanently in the rate base, to maintain and develop community facilities.
* Kiama - 16.4 per cent cumulative increase over two years, retained permanently in the rate base, to fund maintenance and renewal of assets.
* Ku-ring-gai - 7.7 per cent single year increase, retained permanently in the rate base, to deliver long-term environmental objectives.
* Lithgow - 11.7 per cent single year increase, retained permanently in the rate base, to reduce infrastructure backlog and improve financial sustainability.
* Muswellbrook - 15.1 per cent single year increase, retained permanently in the rate base, to improve infrastructure and services.
* North Sydney - 40.3 per cent cumulative increase over five years, retained permanently in the rate base, to fund improved levels of service, new infrastructure and renewal of existing infrastructure.
* Port Stephens - 65.9 per cent cumulative increase over seven years, retained permanently in the rate base, to fund new infrastructure projects and asset renewals.
* Randwick - 17.6 per cent cumulative increase over two years to renew expiring environmental levy.
* Richmond Valley - 23.9 per cent cumulative increase over four years, retained permanently in the rate base, to maintain service levels, fund infrastructure renewals and improve financial sustainability.
* Sutherland - 8.8 per cent single year increase, retained permanently in the rate base, to improve financial sustainability.
* Tamworth - 11.8 per cent cumulative increase over four years, retained permanently in the rate base, to fund the attraction of major events to Tamworth.
