Council phone survey underway


About 400 local residents can expect a phone call over the coming days asking them for their with a opinion about Tamworth Regional Council's proposal to seek a rates rise to create a new works fund and build new infrastructure.

Micromex Research will carry out the comprehensive phone survey over two weeks.

Tamworth Region Mayor Col Murray said the survey results, along with other community consultation undertaken, will help Councillors decide whether Council should or should not apply to IPART for a Special Rate Variation.

"Earlier this year, when Council undertook a community survey the findings included 53 per cent of the 600 people surveyed giving their support to the proposal of developing a long term resourcing strategy that would enhance services and facilities through an increase in rates," he said.

"This feedback and the very positive community response to the Regional Infrastructure Strategy, which identified key infrastructure priorities, has provided further impetus for Council to progress the proposal for a new works fund.

"Creation of the fund has been formally included in the revised Delivery Program which is on public exhibition until 10 December, giving the community another opportunity to give us their opinion." 

Residents will be asked during the phone survey to help Council Choose Our Way Forward by having their say on their preference for one of two proposed funding options to resource new infrastructure and facilities.

Option 1 is to create a new works fund through additional revenue from a Special Rates Variation which would be a one off-permanent increase to its general rates only on top of the 'rate cap' which is forecast to be three per cent.

Option 2 is to not create a new works fund which means a range of new infrastructure and facilities will not be able to be built.

Cr Murray said Council has already made considerable savings to maintain existing services, but it does not have any spare funds for new works other than some water, waste and airport projects for which there are dedicated reserves.

"If Council has the community's support we will apply for a Special Rate Variation of 6.7 per cent with the aim of using that revenue to create a new works fund - it would generate sufficient revenue to allow Council to borrow and pay back $15 million every 10 years," he said.

"That money would also be used to leverage more money through State and Federal government grants, so we would end up with three or four times the value of our original investment."

For more information visit Tamworth Regional Council