Tuesday, 3 June 2008
State Pillaging Millions of Dollars from Ratepayers, Councils Warn
The State Government is using the Electoral Commission to pillage millions of dollars from NSW ratepayers, rural and regional councils have warned.
On the first day of the Annual Shires Association Conference in Sydney, delegates have heard how councils across the State are being slapped with estimates to run the local government elections several times more than in previous years.
A survey of councils by the Local Government and Shires Associations has already revealed a $10 million increase since the 2004 elections, with around 50 councils still to respond.
In response delegates resolved to only pay 'election costs based on 2004 costs plus cumulative CPI', noted they abhor 'the State Government policy of using the Electoral Commissioners monopoly to extort money from the people of NSW which could otherwise be used to fund basic services and vital community infrastructure,' and called for the costs to be independently assessed by the ACCC.
"This is a clear case of the State Government using one of its agencies to pillage millions of dollars from NSW ratepayers," President of the Shires Association of NSW, Cr Bruce Miller said.
"Councils raised concerns with the astronomical hikes last year based on initial quotes, yet despite this, we are receiving final estimates that are even higher - without any hard data justifying the increases.
"This is at the same time the Government has publicly acknowledged councils are under funded by announcing that IPART will conduct a review of council revenue."
Councils welcomed the Minister for Local Government's address at the conference, where he reiterated a respect for councillors and their commitment to serving their communities.
Delegates to The Shires Association include representatives from 79 rural and regional councils across NSW. The conference will continue tomorrow with addresses by various State Ministers and debate on issues facing country communities.
For Cr Miller's address to the conference, which focused on councils finding solutions to the problems facing the sector and raised concern with treatment by the State Government, go to: www.lgsa-plus.net.au/www/html/2517-conference-speeches.asp.
For a full conference program, go to: www.shiresconference.lgsa.org.au.
Media Officer: Fay Daoud - 0437 477 567
Media Comment: Cr Bruce Miller - 0428 689 934
