Council
2 July, 2026
Hard sell starts on proposed Special Rate Variation (SRV)
Wingecarribee Shire Council has already started the hard sell on its Special Rate Variation (SRV) and is painting a very grim picture of what can be expected without a massive increase in rates.
Wingecarribee Shire Council has already started the hard sell on its Special Rate Variation (SRV) and is painting a very grim picture of what can be expected without a massive increase in rates.
Council will spend the next two months ‘consulting’ with the community before making a decision at its October meeting on whether or not to apply to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a “cumulative and permanent increase” of 34.4 per cent to be introduced progressively over the next years.
The options are limited – stick with the status quo and watch the shire fall further and further into disrepair or ‘help shape a stronger Wingecarribee’ and things will get fixed.
Long-term modelling has identified a $100 million funding gap over the next decade between what is needed and what will actually be available.
More than $31 million of that is needed for “urgent, critical works on roads and buildings”.
“Over the past two years, council has reviewed its finances, implemented numerous cost-saving measures, pursued grants and identified efficiencies,” it said in a statement issued week.
“While these actions have helped improve council’s position, independent analysis has confirmed they are not sufficient on their own to address council’s long-term infrastructure funding challenges.”
Under the ‘status quo’ option council will be forced to rely on a modest rate-pegging increase, as well as grants, cost savings and productivity improvements.
While council would continue delivering services, funding would remain limited and infrastructure renewal would continue to fall behind community needs.
Under this option, there would be less funding available to renew ageing roads, buildings and other community infrastructure.
Over time, this would result in more reactive repairs, higher maintenance costs, delays in upgrades and renewing facilities and roads and increasing pressure on service levels and community assets.
This ‘Stronger Services’ option includes the proposed SRV and loan borrowings “to invest more in roads, buildings and essential infrastructure”.
Council would continue to pursue grants, cost savings and productivity improvements while increasing investment in infrastructure renewal and maintenance.
Under this option, council would be able to invest more in roads, buildings and community infrastructure, undertake more planned maintenance and reduce reliance on costly emergency repairs.
It would also improve the long-term sustainability and reliability of community assets.
In simple terms, council says, this option would provide additional funding to renew and maintain road and building infrastructure, improve reliability and reduce future costs.
Wingecarribee Mayor Jesse Fitzpatrick said community input was central to council making informed, long-term decisions to ensure it can continue delivering essential services.
“Council has undertaken a detailed review of its financial position and future infrastructure needs and we’re facing a significant funding challenge that cannot be addressed through efficiencies alone,” Cr Fitzpatrick said.
“The reality is that our community expects safe roads, well-maintained buildings and reliable services.
“The question we're asking is how we fund those things into the future.
“This is an important process for our community.
“It's about making sure everyone understands the challenges, understands the options and has a genuine opportunity to have their say before any decisions are made,” he said.
Council has consistently rejected calls for an independent finance committee – despite overwhelming success of similar committees elsewhere, including in the Shoalhaven.
While council finally agreed to a finance committee at its June meeting, it will be unlikely to have any significant impact before the October SRV vote.
Council will engage broadly across the shire over the next two months with residents, businesses, community groups, service providers, volunteers and other key stakeholders.
“I highly encourage residents to get involved and share their views in a way that suits them best,” Cr Fitzpatrick said.
“This is a conversation about the future of our community and it's important we hear from as many people as possible.”
Residents can provide feedback through council’s online engagement platform Participate Wingecarribee. In-person engagement opportunities will also be available, including information sessions, pop-up events and online webinars.
As part of this consultation, Council is also seeking community feedback on its Revised Draft Delivery Program 2025–2029 and Draft Cost Containment & Productivity Plan 2026–2030.
These documents outline how council plans to deliver services, projects and infrastructure over the next four years, while continuing to identify efficiencies, productivity improvements and opportunities to strengthen long-term financial sustainability.
Find out more and have your say by Friday, August 28 visit https://participatewingecarribee.wsc.nsw.gov.au/
Should Council decide to proceed, IPART will undertake its own independent assessment and community consultation before making a final determination in 2027.
There are serious concerns about the potential impact of the increase on people across the shire – particularly as council has also increased water and sewer charges and a raft of other fees and charges.
There are fears that the combined increases will be simply too much for people already struggling to make ends meet in the current Cost of Living crisis.
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