COUNCIL RATES AND THE COMMUNITY

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) have just released the results of NSW Council’s applications for Special Rate Variations. Maitland City Council’s application to increase rates by 9.8% in 2011-2012 and 10% in 2012-2013 has been agreed to by the independent body and Council is now working towards implementing the start of the various projects ear-marked for the extra funds.

General Manager, David Evans said, “We are pleased to see the need for this increase recognised by an independent body, as our application was based on identified infrastructure needs and expressed community priorities. This is a first step towards achieving a position of sustainability for our City and its infrastructure.”

Maitland City Council has developed plans to improve the standard and condition of the City’s aging infrastructure and to renew and revitalise the overall appearance and presentation of the City.  Council is committed to maintaining the heritage character and charm of the city, but the costs of maintaining heritage rich assets can be significant.

“We presented the community with a detailed list of 26 projects we will undertake using the additional revenue generated over the next four years, and we are now set begin our delivery of these projects from 1 July 2011,” Mr Evans said.

The increase in rates will mean an additional $2.26 a week for the average residential ratepayer.

“Maitland has low average residential rates when compared to other Councils in the lower Hunter and NSW. This increase starts to get us on par with our neighbouring councils, and we are confident the amount is affordable when looking at our average household incomes.”

Following is a list of the projects that will be undertaken over the next four years now that the Special Rate Variation application has been approved.  In percentage terms the funds will be spent on: carparks and shopping areas (20%), city appearance (10%), community buildings (10%), parks, playgrounds and sporting facilities (20%) and Roads and footpaths (40%).

• Lorn shopping area - $100,000
• Telarah shopping area - $100,000
• East Maitland Library carpark / fencing Greenhill Gardens - $250,000
• Rutherford shopping precinct - Arthur, Weblands and Hillview Streets - $2,000,000
• Lawes St shopping centre - reconstruct footpath - $500,000
• Lawes St shopping centre - reconstruct road- $250,000
• Riverside carpark reconstruction, Central Maitland - $250,000
• Increased street cleaning & litter collection - $2,000,000
• Buildings - replace kitchens (3) in community halls - $150,000
• Building - extended Town Hall refurbishment - $500,000
• Disabled toilets (4) citywide - $600,000
• Recreation buildings - refurbish and paint - $300,000
• Maitland Park cycleway and fence - $600,000
• Storage - recreation & community (4) - $200,000
• Shade at sports and playgrounds - $400,000
• Replace older playground equipment - 350,000
• Recreation carparks & access - $200,000
• Maitland Park amenities building - 1,000,000
• Floodlighting - $300,000
• Maitland Park fencing - $100,000
• Increase heavy patching - $850,000
• Swan Street Morpeth - kerb & gutter and footpaths - $500,000
• Green Street - reconstruction - $2,000,000
• Metford Road - reconstruction - $1,500,000
• Central Maitland footpath refurbishments - $450,000
• McKimms roadworks - $500,000

“We will report to on our progress with these works as they are undertaken over the next four years,” Mr Evans said.