A possible BMX track, street furniture, gardens and cycleway improvement.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Council says Upper Hunter residents could have these projects and more sooner if they support a Special Rate Variation.
But what projects do you support?
See the full list here.
Upper Hunter Shire Council staff and councillors will be attending upcoming events to get community feedback about finding the funds for improvements in the Shire.
To have your say, drop by any of their ‘pop-up’ stalls at these times:
· Merriwa Touch Football – Wednesday 29 November, 5.30-7.30pm
· Murrurundi Touch Football –Thursday 30 November, 5.30-7.30pm
· Christmas in the Park Scone – Saturday 2 December, 5pm-7pm
· Victoria Hotel Moonan Flat – Thursday 7 December, 5pm-7pm
· Aberdeen Sports and Recreation Club Raffles – Saturday 9 December, 6.30-8.30pm
Residents are being asked for their views on whether Council should apply for a Special Rate Variation (SRV) for a 3 year period commencing from the 2018/2019 year in order to fund specific projects such as road improvements, community facilities and town revitalisations.
Council has released for discussion four different SRV options that will assist Council in funding repayments towards potential loan borrowings from $8 million up to $15 million, with a fifth option of Council not applying for an SRV at all.
Extensive community consultation over the last year for the Community Strategic Plan 2027 and other major documents, found many people wanted improvements to roads, community facilities and our town centres.
These improvements could be achieved quicker by fast tracking funding through borrowings which will be repaid through the SRV allowing Council to increase its general rate income above the approved local government annual rate pegging increase.
Consideration has been given in all of the SRV options for a lower increase to the general rate for farm land, as many of the projects will occur within town centres and facilities.
Council has created an initial list of potential projects including road projects and priorities for town revitalisation in Aberdeen, Merriwa, Murrurundi and Scone as well as community facilities such as upgraded dog-off leash areas, recreation and sports facilities. Residents are being asked to also share their views on whether they agree with these projects or if there are other priorities.
Residents can share their views in writing or by speaking to staff and councillors at ‘pop up’ community engagement events to be held across the shire in November, December and the first half of January.
After the community consultation, Councillors will decide at the January 2018 Council meeting on whether to make application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for consideration of the SRV. IPART assess and determines the SRV applications submitted by councils under the powers delegated to it by the Minister for Local Government.
The Special Rate Variation (SRV) options being discussed are:
1. Apply for a loan facility of $8 million to fund part of Town Revitalisation projects to be repaid by a SRV at 2.1% plus rate pegging with a low farmland SRV increase of 0.75% plus rate pegging.
2. Apply for a loan facility of $10 million to fund all of town Revitalisation Projects to be repaid by a SRV at 2.6% plus rate pegging with a low farmland SRV increase of 0.75% plus rate pegging.
3. Apply for a loan facility of $12 million to fund all of Town Revitalisation and other Community Projects to be repaid by a SRV at 3% plus rate pegging with a low farmland SRV increase of 0.75% plus rate pegging.
4. Apply for a loan facility of $15 million to fund all of Town Revitalisation, Community projects and major road upgrades ($3.0 mill) to be repaid by a SRV at 4% plus rate pegging with a low farmland SRV increase of 1.25% plus rate pegging.
5. Do not apply for a SRV increase.
Residents can find out what the SRV options would mean for their rates, by emailing Council on council@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au.