Monday, 27 October 2008
Premier Committed to Better Local Services and Facilities - Rate Pegging Review
The NSW Premier today proved he was committed to better local services and facilities for communities by saying he would consider removing rate pegging of local government.
Premier Rees made the promise during his keynote address on the first day of the Local Government Association Annual Conference in Broken Hill.
Currently rate pegging limits how much councils can charge in rates. NSW is the only state in Australia that has it and up until now the Government has ruled out removing it.
"The Premier has proved he is committed to better services and facilities for NSW residents and a positive relationship with local government by considering the removal of rate pegging," President of the Local Government Association, Cr Genia McCaffery said.
"Rate pegging makes it difficult for local councils to build the roads, footpaths and playgrounds our communities need.
"Premier Rees said the removal of rate pegging would have to come with support from communities and with a guarantee of improved services, and we couldn't agree more.
"Councils would rate fairly and based on local needs - and if they didn't they would face the wrath of their communities at the ballot box."
Premier Rees also committed to lobbying the Federal Government for a fairer share of taxation revenue for local government.
During his address, The NSW Opposition Leader, Barry O'Farrell committed to an Inter-Governmental Agreement, a return of Part 3A planning decisions to councils, an end to cost shifting and to the 'historic abuse' by the state government on to local councils.
"The penny has dropped at a state level that councils make our communities work, and that government needs to work with us and support us if they are serious about their constituents," Cr McCaffery added.
"We welcome Mr O'Farrell's commitment to returning planning decisions to councils, his promise of an IGA and to reinstating a democratically elected council to communities where councils have been sacked as soon as possible."
The Minister for Local Government Barbara Perry praised the work of local councils and the Associations and promised an open and constructive relationship with local government.
Media contact: Kristie Down - 0427 109 593
Media comment: Cr Genia McCaffery - 0419 404 867
