Govt backs councils introducing new ‘infrastructure rate’

The NSW government says it supports calls for new local government rating categories.

19 June, 2020

Councils win approval for rate hikes, mayors get pay rise

The pricing regulator has given six Sydney councils the green light to increase rates from next month.

20 May, 2019

The waste problem is a problem for all

The waste fiasco exposed in the Four Corners report will have wide-ranging implications for local governments.

14 August, 2017

Victorian local council rates outcry: Will services suffer?

Rate cap set at 2 per cent.

19 December, 2016

IPART “fiddling around the edge” with NSW local council rates

Ratepegging here to stay.

29 August, 2016

Prepare for massive NSW council rates shake up, says IPART

Apartment owners likely to pay more.

22 August, 2016

Baird kicks open door to rate rises with fresh IPART inquiry

Four-year freeze on merged council rates examined.

13 April, 2016

Another kicking for NSW councils as rate cap reduced

Don’t raise your rates by more than 1.8%: IPART.

8 December, 2015

NSW councils give government minister a serve

Paul Toole in the firing line.

12 October, 2015

Will the carbon tax repeal reduce your council rates?

Higher waste costs could bury savings.

4 August, 2015

Developers attack councils over infrastructure fees

By Paul Hemsley Australia’s property development lobby has resumed hostilities with state and local governments over what they claim are “exorbitant charges” imposed on new building projects through collective schemes that are meant to help fund council services and projects they say would usually just be funded by rates. The charge against governments imposing “hidden […]

8 August, 2013

Victorian rates hike blamed on superannuation slug

By Paul Hemsley and Julian Bajkowski The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has blamed unpopular rate hikes averaging 4.8 per cent or $76 on growing ‘critical’ cost pressures arising from the need to top-up $396.9 million worth of unpaid liabilities for the Defined Benefit Superannuation Shortfall, a yawning infrastructure backlog and pervasive cost shifting to […]

8 July, 2013

Tasmanian councils accused of “rip offs”

By Paul Hemsley An already combative relationship between Tasmanian councils and industry group Tasmanians for Reform has deteriorated further amid a fresh row over whether new increases in council rates are justified without moves to reduce the high number of local governments in the island state. Business-led Tasmanians for Reform has attacked the move by […]

20 June, 2013