WOLLONGONG ADVERTISER
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Wollongong councillors have approved a 6.23 per cent rate rise as they continue their efforts to catch up on a large infrastructure backlog and prove their financial fitness to the state government.
The rate rise was adopted as part of the 2015-16 draft plan and budget at the council meeting on June 22.
The Independent Pricing And Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) last year approved the council's application for a special rate variation over three years, allowing it progressively lift its overall rates by 6.13 per cent in 2014-15, 6.23 per cent in 2015-16 and by 6.24 per cent in 2016-17.
While IPART approved the rate variation, councillors still have to ratify the increases each financial year.
The 6.23 per cent rate rise, which takes effect from July 1, means rates for individual properties will increase by an average 6.63 per cent, other than the categories of Business 3c Regional, Heavy 1 Activity 1 and the special rates for Wollongong Mall and the city centre, which will increase by 3 per cent.
Meantime, in order to boost housing density at West Dapto, the council decided to lower the Section 94 developer contribution of $30,000 per dwelling to $20,000 for dual occupancy additional houses and $15,000 for multi-dwelling housing, residential flats and seniors living.
A council report on West Dapto said infrastructure costs had risen from $565 million to $817 million, a $209 million shortfall between costs and estimated Section 94 income.
Councillors have called on the state government to direct some of its billion-dollar Housing Acceleration Fund, aimed at speeding up the delivery of housing in growth areas, to West Dapto infrastructure.