Under the Reduce Services option, rates will increase from 1 July 2024 in line with the NSW Government rate revenue peg (assumed to be 3.5%). The Council will not apply for a Special Rate Variation.
To balance its budget, the Council will be required to undertake widespread service cuts (worth $2.8m across 2024/25 and 2025/26) and find increased non-rate revenue ($500,000 across 2024/25 and 2025/26).
2024/25 average rate increases under the Reduce Services option
| Residential | Business (General) | Business (CBD) | ||||
| Yearly | Weekly | Yearly | Weekly | Yearly | Weekly | |
| Existing average rate in 2023/24 | $1,088 | $20.92 | $6,524 | $125.46 | $7,803 | $150.05 |
| Increase due to assumed rate peg (3.5%) | $38 | $0.73 | $228 | $4.38 | $273 | $5.25 |
| Increase due to Special Rate Variation (0.0%) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total average rate increase under 3.5% rate rise | $38 | $0.73 | $228 | $4.38 | $273 | $5.25 |
| Average rate in 2024/25 | $1,126 | $21.7 | $6,752 | $129.8 | $8,076 | $155.3 |
Please download this table to see how, under this option, rates would increase from 2025/26 to 2027/28.
Projected annual Operating Results (surpluses or deficits) under Reduce Services option
Under the Reduce Services option, the Council will record a balanced (or "break even") average Operating Result in the nine years to 2032/22, recording five surpluses and four deficits in the nine years between 2024/25 and 2032/33.
Council will have limited ability to withstand future financial shocks or add to reserves for community services or new projects.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Reduce Services option
Below are the advantages and disadvantages of the Reduce Services option.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
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