By STEVE GRAY
THOSE least able to pay would be charged the most if the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal accepts Tenterfield Shire Council’s application for a Special Rates Variation, a local farmer says.
Mingoola grazier Bob South said the shire’s cattle producers were already facing huge financial stress after years of drought followed by a record January 2011 flood, followed by a collapse in cattle prices.
He said that if the rate rise was applied at the same percentage to all categories of rates, 90 per cent of town residents will pay a net increase over four years of $146.
“The average increase in the farmland will be $416, or 285 per cent more than the increase applied to town residents,” Mr South said.
Some farmers will pay up to $1000 or more in increased rates, he said.
“Is this fair?” Mr South asked.
“Pensioners get a 50 per cent rebate, Tenterfield business has received an 18.4 per cent rate cut this year, negating the first two years of the proposed rates rise.
“Farmers get the biggest rise and no help. We are being kicked while we’re down.”
Mr South disputed the claims of council officers that administration costs amount to only seven per cent of council’s budget.
He said the administration costs of executive management and corporate services may be that figure, but once the listed administration costs of other departments is added in the total administration cost of council is 19.5 per cent of total revenue.
However, Mr South said while the present formula was unacceptable, he and his family would accept a total increase of seven per cent per annum over seven years.
“It would mean less money for the council for the first seven years but put them very close to the same rate level after seven years,” he said.
“This would spread the burden over a more affordable time frame.”
