LOCAL & REGIONAL ROAD – WEED SPRAYING
Council would like to notify the public of the upcoming weed spraying works on various local and regional roads over the next few weeks, see below.
During this peroid drivers are asked to exercise caution and to be considerate of works.
Should you have any queries with what has been outlined, please do not hesitate to contact Willem De Meyer on (02) 6965 1900.
COUNCIL ELECTIONS 2024
General Council Elections will be held on 14 September 2024.
Non Residential Roll
Claims for inclusion on the roll of non-resident owners of rateable land or for the roll of occupier and ratepaying lessees for Carrathool Shire closes on 5 August 2024. Claims forms are available by contacting Council.
Councillor Nominations
On Monday 5 August 2024 rolls will close for the purpose of being nominated on the roll.
Lodgment of nominations to stand for Council will commence on 5 August 2024.
The election is being conducted by the NSW Electoral Commissions. Information for voters and potential Councillor nominations is available at www.elections.nsw.gov.au.
COUNCIL STATEMENT ON COST SHIFTING
Cost shifting is when state or federal governments transfer, or ‘shift’ responsibility for providing a certain service, concession, asset or regulatory function to councils. The link below details a report prepared for Local Government NSW by consulting firm Morrison Low which provides information on how local government ratepayers are funding more than a billion dollars of state government obligations.
On average, the research determined that cost shifting represents an additional cost of $460.67 for every ratepayer across the state. With councils having to fund this ongoing subsidy for the state government every year, it means our communities get less or go without. They go without better roads, they go without better parks, they go without important community services that only councils provide and they, and the ratepayers, are effectively paying hidden taxes to other levels of government. The report further indicates that rural councils such as ours have seen a greater impact with rural councils experiencing cost shifting amounting to $590.80 for every ratepayer.
Primary examples of cost shifting impacting our shire include:
The table below provides actual data for the financial year 2021/22 which demonstrates a minimum cost to the ratepayers of Carrathool Shire of $1,146,470 as a consequence of cost shifting by other levels of government. Our local government area has 2,634 rates assessments. Of these assessments, 700 are exempt from paying rates leaving the other 1,934 to absorb the impacts of cost shifting. This equates to an actual cost of approximately $592.80 per ratepayer. There are additional expenditures such as those for crown land reserve management where it is difficult to reliably estimate a cost to Council
CARRATHOOL SHIRE COUNCIL COST SHIFTING DATA | |
COST DESCRIPTION | NET COST TO COUNCIL
(AFTER GOVT SUBSIDY) |
Emergency Services Levy | 244,023 |
Pensioner Rebates | 56,908 |
Library Operations | 227,830 |
Companion Animals | 30,156 |
Noxious Weeds (as control authority) | 45,488 |
Development Applications (non-recoverable) | 17,829 |
Additional Governance (new legislative requirements) | 22,000 |
Medical Services | 170,736 |
Rate Exemptions: government owned properties | 289,680 |
Rate Exemptions: non-government owned properties (example – churches) | 31,620 |
Rate Exemptions: community housing | 10,200 |
TOTAL | 1,146,470 |
Carrathool Shire Council takes our responsibility to ensure sustainable financial management seriously and cost shifting by the state government seriously undermines our proactive approach to ensure our long-term financial viability while still delivering the infrastructure, programs and services our community expects and deserves.
Annual Cost Shifting Report 21-22
Barking and Roaming Dogs
Council has had many complaints recently regarding barking and nuisance dogs.
Dog owners are reminded that under the Companion Animals Act they are responsible for the behaviour of their dog/s – this includes unacceptable nuisance barking. Fines in excess of $800 can be issued.
There has also been an increase in the number of dogs roaming public streets. Council’s Ranger has increased patrols during both day and night. Dogs loose on the streets will be impounded and fines issued.