Gloucester is one of 19 councils to have applied to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for an increase to rates in the 2015-16 financial year.

Council is seeking a 44.3 per cent cumulative increase over three years to be retained permanently in the rates base. 

IPART has set the rate peg for 2015-16 at 2.4 per cent. 

“Each application (for a special rates variation) will be carefully assessed against the criteria established by the Office of Local Government with councils required to demonstrate the need for and the purpose of the additional revenue, evidence of community consultation and an assessment of the impact on affected ratepayers,” IPART chairman Dr Peter Boxall said.

“As councils must engage with the community when assessing options for a special variation, we expect that councils will have already sought and considered the community’s views on the special variation.

“In addition, we require councils to explain productivity improvements and cost containment strategies that have been realised or are planned.”

Gloucester ratepayers that want to make a submission on the rate rise can do so until March 16.

The submissions will be considered as part of the IPART determination. 

Details about council’s proposal are available on the IPART website and council’s own website.

Full details about the assessment criteria for special rates variations, the amounts sought by each council and how to lodge a submission can be found at www.ipart.nsw.gov.au