We need your help to fix our roads and bridges

Greater Taree City Council Mayor, Paul Hogan

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MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR, PAUL HOGAN

By now, many of you will have heard that Greater Taree City Council is considering a special variation to our rates income. This is a matter that my fellow Councillors and I take very seriously and we are committed to an open and frank discussion with the community before the final decision is made.

While nobody likes to contemplate an increase in rates, I believe it is the only way forward for our Valley and the only way that we can start to address our infrastructure issues and maintain existing services.

As you know, we have been working with the community for the past 12 months to develop a long-term plan for the Manning Valley. This follows a study by Professor Percy Allan which showed that nearly one quarter of our Valley's infrastructure (roads, bridges, footpaths etc) is in need of replacement or major repair. We are currently underspending by some $20 million per year on preventative maintenance and repair work for our assets because we simply do not have the funds to finance this work.

If nothing changes, these assets will continue to deteriorate to the point where our roads will become impassable. This is not a future that any of us would choose. I have spent most of my life in this Valley and it breaks my heart to see our roads and bridges starting to fail, to see communities isolated and fearful of what the future may hold.

But I believe we can start to overcome these issues if each of us is prepared to invest in our Valley.

Please participate in this online forum, view the supporting documentation in the media library, including the proposed program of infrastructure works, read the Frequently Asked Questions, try your hand at the Budget Allocator and have your say on whether you are prepared to invest in fixing our infrastructure.

THE CLOSING DATE FOR THIS CONSULTATION IS FRIDAY 23 APRIL. 

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I don't agree with the Special Rate Increase proposal

Comments
154

I don't agree with the Special Rate Increase proposal.

I understand that this means my rates will increase only by the rate peg amount set by the Government and that Council will not have extra funding available from rates to carry out additional infrastructure works.

 

by GTCC Project Coordinator 27 Mar 2010, 4:04pm | 3264 views

I do agree with the Special Rate Increase proposal

Comments
8

I agree with the Special Rate Increase proposal and believe this is a worthwhile investment to provide more funds for the infrastructure program.

I understand that this program includes:

  • A 12% per annum increase in rates over the next 4 years (including the government rate peg amount).
  • Additional borrowings to fund infrastructure works.
  • Use of the extra rate money (above the rate peg amount) to carry out infrastructure works and service the infrastructure loans.  

by GTCC Project Coordinator 27 Mar 2010, 4:06pm | 728 views

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