Shellharbour ratepayers face a 10 per cent rate rise next financial year, on the back of rate rises of 8 per cent and 9 per cent for the past two years.

In 2013 Shellharbour City Council was given permission by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal to raise rates by 43 per cent over four years to address a backlog in infrastructure maintenance for buildings, roads, footpaths, drains and sport and recreation facilities.

The approval will see the average residential rate increase by $448 over four years, generating an additional $19.5 million for the council.

Cr Marsh said the council was spending more than $10,000 on the signs, which will remain on council project sites for 12 months.

"I am so disheartened and disappointed with this," Cr Marsh said.

"Council has inflicted rate shock on our ratepayers and they can expect another rise this year ... their money is being burgled for signs that do not need to be there."

Cr Marsh said she had fielded numerous complaints about the signs, which she said had no worth or value to the community.

"I don't have a problem with people knowing where their money goes, but that information is available on the council website and in a number of newsletters and reports.

"Having the signs there is a 24/7 slap in the face reminder that the council is making it financially very hard for many people."

Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba said Cr Marsh was being "petty" and her complaints were "nit picking".

"It is very important we are identifying what projects are being done through the SRV [special rate variation]," Cr Saliba said.

aarnold@fairfaxmedia.com.au