MURRAY River Council will attend the Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly with one issue firmly on the agenda – getting its fair share.
The council, at its ordinary meeting last week, resolved to submit a motion to the conference in June, that the Federal Government restore the financial assistance grants to 1 per cent of Commonwealth taxation revenue immediately and to 1.5 per cent of Commonwealth taxation revenue by 2030.
Mayor Cr John Harvie initially moved that the government restore financial assistance grants to 1 per cent of Commonwealth taxation revenue by 2030, but Cr Gary Pappin said the increase needed to happen as soon as possible.
That resulted in Cr Pappin moving the amended motion, which was carried unanimously.
“It’s well and and truly justified going for 1 per cent which was originally the number years ago before the government chose to lower it to 0.5 per cent,” he said.
“Councils in New South Wales are in extreme hardships and that’s reflected by constituents across the state with special rate variation applications.”
Cr Harvie said the reduction in assistance grants for the council totalled $10 million each year.
“A reduction in funding of this size cannot be recovered from ratepayers alone,” he said.
“Council has trimmed services and significantly increased productivity over the years but still records an annual deficit of around $9 million which can only result in a huge underspend on infrastructure upgrades and replacement (depreciation).
“If the situation continues, the shortfall in infrastructure spend will snowball due to inflation and create the need, at some point, for a massive catch up which is the reason for the recommended increase in local government’s share of Commonwealth taxation revenue to 1.5 per cent by 2035.
“Failure to act now will place an insurmountable financial burden on our children and future generations.”
Cr Geoff Wise said more than 70 councils in NSW were in “extreme duress” in paying bills and wages alone.
“If the $15 million comes to fruition, that’s enough to run the council and run in front,” he said.
“We will be able to handle roadworks because floods in our area is a serious problem.
“More and more people are being wrapped around by bills … more on electricity, car registrations … it’s just cruel, so hopefully we win some stuff out of this.”
Murray River Council’s incoming chief executive Stacy Williams, and councillors Gen Campbell, Gary Pappin and Kylie Berryman will attend the conference in Canberra in June.
