Open now: IPART consultation on Snowy Monaro Special Rate Variation

Published on 14 April 2023

The NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has opened their public consultation on Snowy Monaro Regional Council’s proposed Special Rate Variation (SRV).

This latest opportunity for residents and ratepayers in our region to have their say on the potential changes to rates is open for feedback now until Friday 5 May 2023.

Have your say today. Visit https://qrco.de/SMRC-SRV

Once IPART’s consultation closes, the tribunal will assess Council’s application and make a determination to either approve or deny the proposed SRV. IPART can approve a different variation than Council’s applied-for increase.

The tribunal’s decision will be based on balancing affordability for residents and Council’s financial need – determined through a comprehensive set of assessment criteria. These can be found on the IPART website linked above.

Summary of the Snowy Monaro SRV process:

• A public consultation on a potential Special Rate Variation (SRV) was held from late 2022 through late January 2023 – consisting of submissions from the community, and in-person and online opportunities to learn more and participate in the process
• Council announced its intention to seek a SRV in January 2023, following a decision at the January Council Meeting
• Council announced that it was altering its application in February 2023, seeking a smaller five-year (rather than larger one year) SRV
• Snowy Monaro Regional Council applied to IPART for a 55.25% rate increase spread over five years starting from 2023/24
• IPART’s consultation is now open for feedback, before IPART makes a determination on the application and advises Council in June 2023
• If the SRV application is approved, councillors will decide at a Council meeting whether to proceed with the approved increase

For more information, please contact Snowy Monaro Regional Council: council@snowymonaro.nsw.gov.au or 1300 345 345.